Quality of Life - Guest Blog
Improving Your Quality of Life with Yoga
Hello, fellow Yogis! My name is Tyler, and I’m a writer and yoga enthusiast, living my best life—one ujjayi breath at a time. This week, your guru, Mai, has graced me with the opportunity to share my practice and discuss some of the lesser known benefits of yoga.
Before we begin, I’d like to take this time to thank Mai for opening her practice to another writer and exuberating a mindful approach to life and her studio as a whole. We can all stand to learn from her as we continue to grow ourselves.
“Yoga is like music. The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life.” - B.K.S. Iyengar
Yoga is one of the earliest forms of exercise with its inception dating back thousands of years ago in India. Unlike most traditional exercises, it goes beyond merely increasing your body’s strength.
Whether you’re new to yoga or a seasoned veteran, it might not be surprising to hear that yoga is meant to make your entire entity stronger: mind, body, and soul.
What may be shocking—and commonly overlooked—are the additional health benefits yoga practitioners of all ages experience.
Without further ado, here are two areas of your life that are facilitated by yoga.
#1 Yoga Improves Heart Health
Much like any other exercise, yoga is considered a physical activity, so naturally, we’d expect to see an increase in strength, stamina, and balance. Where yoga differentiates itself is the added stress relief and cardiovascular support.
Skip the Stress Ball and Strike a Pose
It’s Saturday morning, and you just walked into class. The night before was long. Whether you went out with friends, drama with family, or insomnia keeping you awake—you know as soon as you step onto that mat, you’ll immediately release all worldly stress.
What most people don’t understand about stress is that it can cause serious physical issues.
For example, stress releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which narrows arteries and increases blood pressure.
By practicing yoga, we can decrease the adverse effects of stress and encourage healthy heart function.
Hatha Isn’t the Only Healthy Yoga
In one study, researchers from Johns Hopkins found that the blood measurements and waist circumference—markers for heart disease—improved in middle-aged adults who practiced yoga for three months.
Furthermore, all branches of yoga can lower your blood pressure, blood cholesterol, blood glucose levels, and heart rate. This makes your daily, weekly, or monthly practice a significant defender of your heart.
#2 Yoga Improves Your Sleep
Each night, it’s estimated that over 60 million Americans suffer from a disorder that restricts the amount of sleep they get. This means that about one in every five Americans isn’t getting a fulfilling night’s rest.
If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. I used to struggle with chronic insomnia and excessive snoring—that is, until I started doing yoga.
Practicing yoga can be an invigorating way to start your day or a gentle and restorative approach to end it. A nationwide study found that more than 55% of people who did yoga found that it helped them sleep better.
In regards to untreated and undiagnosed insomnia, researchers found that yoga significantly improves overall sleep quality, sleep duration, and sleep efficiency.
Local sleep specialist, Dr. Matthew Huff, recommends pairing yoga with some form of sleep relief—whether it’s a CPAP machine or an oral appliance.
For your convenience, here are some yoga poses that are proven to prepare you for a good night’s rest:
● Lying Butterfly (Supta Baddha Konasana) - Also referred to as reclined butterfly pose, begin by sitting on the floor with your legs extended. From there, bring the soles of your feet together with your knees out to the side. When you’re ready, engage your core by pulling your lower abdomen up and in, and lie back. Stay in this position for five to ten full breaths.
● Final Relaxation (Savasana) - This pose is one of the most common and it’s found in all types of yoga classes. Traditionally, we use Savasana as the final relaxation pose in class, but we can use it to prepare the body, mind, and soul for sleep as well.
Just lie on your back with your legs straight and arms at your sides. Rest your hands about half a foot away from your body with your palms up. Let your feet fall inwards and close your eyes. Stay here for about five minutes, focusing your breathing and concentrating on being both fully aware of and unattached from the present.
● Legs Up the Wall (Viparita Karani) - This pose aims to relieve tired legs and feet, stretch your lower back, and calm the mind. You can begin by sitting with your right side against the wall. From there, gently turn your body to the right and bring your legs up the wall. Once comfortable, your head, shoulders, and back should be touching the floor simultaneously. Let your arms rest at your side with palms resting up. Close your eyes and hold this pose for about five minutes.
Boost Your Quality of Life with Yoga
Life is chaotic, but by practicing yoga, we’re providing our bodies, minds, and souls with clarity and purpose. As you go forward with your practice, remember that yoga isn’t a single-purpose activity. Ultimately, you hold the key to satisfaction—no one else understands your needs more than you. Stay true to yourself and your practice, and if all else fails … Keep breathing.