8 scientifically-proven benefits of yoga.

For us, Indians especially the 90s born whenever we hear the word Yoga. The first thing that comes into our mind is an Indian sage Baba Ramdev. He made yoga culture possible in every household. Baba Ramdev is a de facto brand ambassador of yoga in India. He made yoga possible in Indian and also in different parts of the world. The training of body, mind, and soul first practiced by the ancient saints but Baba Ramdev transformed Yoga into a multi-dollar business industry and institutionalized Patanjali Yogpeeth near Rishikesh, India.

What Is Yoga?

The word Yoga derived from the Sanskrit word “Yuji” which means union. Yoga provides a clear interaction between your mind and body. You will discover your inner self. It includes meditation, special breathing exercises that encourage your mental and physical health. It is also a must to reduce stress.

There is no proven inventor of Yoga. It has been practicing in the South-Asia for 5000 years. There are both male and female yoga practitioners. Male counterparts are known as “yogis” while the female one is “yoginis”.

Yoga incorporates perfect postures and poses. Fitness was not a primary goal. Early yogis and yoginis performed not for fitness but to expand spiritual energy with the help of breathing and meditating. The tradition of Yoga gained popularity in the west at the end of the 19^th century.

Branches of Yoga:

·       Hatha yoga: This is the physical and mental form of yoga that helps in coordinating the body and the mind.

·       Raja yoga: Raja means king. A king is known for its self-discipline and assurance. So, this yoga shows you the path of self-discipline, independence.

·       Karma yoga:  This branch of yoga ensures your future free from negativeness and selfishness.

·       Bhakti yoga: This yoga helps to nurture the sense of devotion within you, it helps you to channel emotion and benevolent attitude towards others.

·       Jnana yoga: it basically about your superego, scholar behaviors. Here wisdom plays an important role.

·       Tantra yoga: with the help of your body and energy this yoga can help improve your sex life.

Let us take a look of benefits of yoga:

1) it helps to lower your stress.

According to various research, it has been found that yoga helps to decrease the secretion of a hormone known as Cortisol. This is the primary stress hormone.

On practicing Yoga daily, various women have reported that they feel free from stress, fatigue, and depression. There is a new channel of energy starts flowing inside them.

2) it can cure anxiety.

Yoga helps you find inner peace. Most people practice yoga to get rid of anxiety. Yoga Helps in coordinating your body parts and bring them on a single line.

3) Helps in curing heart disease.

High blood pressure is the major factor of heart attacks and strokes. Yoga helps in lowering the blood pressure and in turn reducing the probability of heart attacks. Yoga also helps in eliminating bad cholesterol.

4) it helps in improving the quality of your life.

Yoga has been advised to senior citizens also. people who practice it daily will find themselves free from mood swings, fatigue, depression, and various mental problems.

5) it can relieve you from chronic pain.

Pain is very common to all of us. If unbearable then it may affect your life severely. According to various research, it has been found that Yoga can help you to ease your pain.

6) it reduces the effect of Chemotherapy.

For many cancer patients, it is very common to face the side effects of chemotherapy. People generally face a problem such as nausea, vomiting, and hemoglobin issue. Yoga reduces the symptoms of chemotherapy.

7) it provides you deep sleep.

Poor sleep quality results in a lack of concentration, stress, obesity, and high blood pressure issue. Studies proved that yoga can help you by providing you relaxation and better sleep quality.

8) Improves our respiration process.

A pranayama is a form of yoga that helps to ease your breathing process. It focuses on controlling breathing behavior. It improves the number of air releases from your lungs.

Kindly share your thoughts down below.

-Authored by Sahil Gupta (MBA in Marketing, Sri Balaji University, Pune).