UN News reported that two billion people around the world practice yoga so if you are thinking about starting up, you’re in good company!
If you’ve been following along on my Instagram stories you know I’ve been frequenting yoga classes since getting back into town! Yoga serves so many different needs. I particularly go to Flow classes for the strengthening, stretching and some cardio aspect. However, people practice yoga for various reasons: Some do it to complement a cardio workout, like me, while some simply look to it for relaxation. No matter the intention though, yoga can be a life-transforming type of workout, and it’s got science and testimonials to back it up! A number of high profile personalities are even known to share their first-hand experiences with the power of yoga, such as Jennifer Aniston, Arianna Huffington, and Meghan Markle.
It was also included in one my articles Casiraghi Style’s tips to lose weight and live a healthier life. With all of this in mind, here are five ways yoga can change your life in just a month.
1. Increases flexibility for the body – As people get older, joints and muscles become tight and less pliable. Regular asana practice can change that. Jennifer Anniston practices Bikram or “hot yoga”, which is meant to flush out toxins from the body through sweat. Because your body is warmed up, you are primed for the stretches and twists of the poses. Stretching can help keep the body limber, youthful, and healthy.
2. Develops your mindset for success – By helping to still your mind, yoga can make you see what really matters, like your priorities and goals. Arianna Huffington, the president of the Huffington Post Media Group, told Yoga Journal that the practice strengthens her four pillars of success: well-being, wisdom, wonder, and giving. The CEO and media tycoon begins each day with at least 20 minutes of meditation and provides weekly yoga sessions for her employees. That’s admirable dedication.
3. Become stronger, inside and out – Yoga also brings about bodily strength and resilience in character. The future wife of Prince Harry, Meghan Markle told Women’s Health that an intense Vinyasa yoga class is one of her favorite workouts, especially because her mother is a yoga instructor. Due to her high profile status, Markle is tied to a lot of controversies. Just recently, she was once again the topic of public discussion because of the Queen’s letter of approval on the couple’s marriage. Entertainment Daily reported that there were differences in how the Queen addressed Markle in the document, and some people believe that there’s a meaning behind it. Either way, Markle’s strong disposition, which is supported by her yoga practice, allows her to dust off such issues and take everything in her stride.
4. Gain spiritual awareness and be more in touch with yourself – Yoga is also a form of moving meditation. It can be a highly spiritual time devoted for nurturing and caring for yourself. Do You Yoga talked about how Robert Downey Jr. took to yoga as a way to turn his life around. Today, he’s one of the most vocal advocates of the practice.
5. Building stamina – Getting winded too easily may be a sign that the body is not in shape, and incorporating yoga into your daily schedule can change that. NBA superstar LeBron James credits yoga for his endurance, and he practices during the off-season as well. It helps him play longer during matches.
Before you settle with a routine, try your hand at many different styles of yoga and check which one works best for you. Note what you feel differently one day at a time, then make it a habit for the next 30 days and beyond!
