Yoga might be the best thing out there that you can do for your health. Here, I am referring to a more holistic meaning of health including your mental health, physical well-being and an authentic emotional self.
In a world running after appearances, the simplicity of yoga can prove to be your little corner of authenticity. That small little corner of calm that you always crave but seldom get to have.
How My Journey Began…
When I began Yoga back in 2020, it was a time of utter unawareness. I had never read or even heard of the benefits of yoga for physical, mental, and emotional health altogether.
This curtain of ignorance was taken down when I came across Yoga with Adrienne on YouTube. The stillness of yoga had never made sense to me. She gave me the ability to be patient with a pose, and that is exactly what I needed.
I had only done weight training and beginner-level cardio before this. Now with the newly acquired patience, I gave yoga a chance. Fast forward a year: BANG! The benefits were so visible that even a skeptic mind like mine started believing in the power of yogi wisdom truly.
Results? Here they were!
Of course, it did not happen overnight but with the newly learned patience and consistency (which is sometimes super difficult to sustain, I agree…) I got to see:
- A visible reduction in negative thoughts
- Improved Sleep
- Improved Gut Health
- Knee Pain Disappeared
- Stiff Shoulders Gone
- Sore and Stiff Muscles Felt at Ease
- Weight loss
- Confidence Came Back
- The Journey of Working on My Inner Self Started
- Discovered a More Positive Side of Myself
What Made This Happen?
Let’s talk about the connection between the mind and body first. The mind and the body: one cannot be without the other. This connection between the brain’s motor areas and cognitive functions has been studied by several new researches and one cannot deny it at all. (From a scientific view point)
It has been discovered that brain regions controlling movement are interconnected with those involved in thinking, planning, and regulating bodily functions like heart rate and breathing.
These findings suggest that mental states, including thoughts and emotions, influence physical processes and vice versa. This highlights the complex relationship between the brain and body, showing how mental planning and motor activity are closely tied, impacting both behavior and bodily functions.
I felt this mind and body connection the deepest when I witnessed it myself. The twenty minutes of basic chakra yoga poses on the mat along with a small meditation started talking to my turmoiled mental state.
Not only my knee pain and cripplingly aching shoulders were gone, but also my general mood swings and chronic IBS (Internal Bowl Syndrome) were greatly minimized. With my anxiety and depression coming down, my confidence in the power of yoga had increased. I used this confidence strategically to not let go my consistency.
Consistency: A Necessary Cliche
Consistency in any pursuit of life is the key. Whatever you want to achieve, you must stay consistent. Same goes for yoga – give yourself and your body time. With the sole power of consistency, I kept on fighting against inaction, demotivation and procrastination. The results were beyond my expectations.
Yoga didn’t just transform my physical body—it reshaped my mind. With each breath, I found myself more present, more aware of my surroundings, and even more in tune with my choices, from the food I ate to the way I approached life’s challenges.
The practice was not only about postures—it was about listening to my body, healing, and growing stronger. It was about building a relationship with my body: the body that we criticize all our lives for not being enough, yoga is about embracing that body, accepting it, and celebrating it.
Talking of the Mental Health Benefits…
From this new journey of mine, I learned that true strength lies not in resisting stress, but in shifting how we respond to it. In a world brimming with dependence on material and a shrieking hustle culture, the quietness of yoga helped me came close to myself.
Though weight loss and fat reduction were not my aims at that time, I lost a significant amount of weight. My menstrual cycle was impacted positively which made me realize that though the benefits of yoga are universal, for women these become even more beneficial.
[For knowing more about PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), go here: How Stress Reduction Helps Manage PCOS)
The mind relaxation impact of yoga helps women greatly with their cycle, thereby impacting their overall behavior and health. Nonetheless, limiting its benefits to just women would be huge dishonesty; it serves all.
Yoga is not just a practice; it is a journey that continues to unfold with each breath. It is a practice that asks you to be present, to embrace yourself as you are, and to trust in the transformation that comes with each mindful movement.
Do You Want to Start, too?
Well, you don’t need any prior experience or a tailored resume to enroll yourself. You just need 2 things: consistency and initiative. And you are good to go! Best of luck 🙂
This video can be a great start for you.
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