Yoga is much more than a way to get in shape; it’s a life-changing tool for the mind, both personally and professionally. It’s backed by science, my friends.
Here’s how yoga empowers people of all levels, from beginners to Tree Pose masters, to experience more productivity, clarity and ease in daily life.
1. Yoga Teaches You to Breath Through Challenges.
You’ll hear yoga teachers advise when to inhale and exhale during a yoga flow. They’ll remind you to breath throughout the practice, particularly in challenging postures. We do this because most people hold their breath in times of tension or, in general, take shallow breaths.
No bueno, my friends.
Your body is designed to release 70% of toxins through breathing. When you use shallow breaths, that’s keeping toxins inside of your precious self. (Source)
These shallow breaths also limit the diaphragm’s range of motion and Oxygen intake. This matters because oxygenating the brain through deep breathing helps to reduce anxiety levels. As noted by Harvard Medical School, deep breaths also calm your heart rate and lower or even stabilize blood pressure.
Plus, deep breathes (and yoga movement) release endorphins throughout the body; endorphins make you feel good AND can even act as a natural pain killer (Thanks for confirmation, Livestrong article).
As you learn to breath well during yoga challenges, it’ll help you physically and start to transform your breathing off the mat. Inhale deeply during your Warrior II pose. Soon enough, you’ll be using that same deep breath through other challenges in life.
Read a negative client email? Use that deep breath to relieve anxiety.
Receive feedback that makes your heart hurt? Take a moment. Breath – lowering that heart rate and letting those endorphins do work.
2. Yoga Offers a Calm Energy.
Although hoards of espresso shots and energy drinks provide energy, they can also give the jitters and potential crashes. In contrast, yoga energizes the body in a balanced, stable way. The mindful movement of yoga, especially when breath is linked to movement, fosters a vigor that keeps your mind calm and focused.
Here are easy ways to use yoga for energy in daily life:
Do an invigorating morning routine before your workday. I recommend this morning sequence by Yoga With Adriene.
If you’re feeling groggy in the afternoon, try this quick 8 minute video: Yoga to Get the Juices Flowing!
3. Yoga Reminds Us to Be Mindful.
Many of us are consumed by To Do lists and bonkers Google calendars. When we take time to come to our mat and practice yoga, we are giving ourselves crucial self-care. It allows us to take note of how we’re doing, physically and mentally.
Even 5 minutes of morning yoga can shift your mindset. This introspection can help you find ease, generate new business ideas and/or gain the clarity to solve problems.
Plus, it’s so healthy for perspective. Let’s say a client requests edits that make you want to cry: Do a few sun salutations. Enjoy some gentle stretching.
Hmm…Maybe the situation is not as dire as it felt initially.
Tools to Experience the Benefits of Yoga in Daily Life
Here’s the great news: It doesn’t take years of practice or an ability to do the splits; anyone can start experiencing these yoga benefits ASAP.
To help you begin or further your yoga journey, here are my favorite resources:
- For Youtube yoga videos: Yoga With Adriene
- To learn more about yoga in daily life, breathwork and yoga news: Yoga Journal Online
Cheers & Chaturanga!
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