According to the American Psychiatric Association, more people than ever before are taking prescribed antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. The intensity of our modern lifestyle is believed to be contributing to a decline in our nation's mental health and well-being in numbers that cannot be ignored without consequence. Studies across the nation show that incorporating a holistic yoga practice into your life is helpful for PTSD, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure and overall wellness. According to world-renowned yoga practitioner David Life of Jivumukti yoga, holistic yoga is a way of life that connects the mind with the body to create inner peace and balance. Taking responsibility for your mental health is something that should be done with the guidance of your health care provider, so be sure to ask him or her if they think yoga might be of benefit to your specific symptoms. As with all forms of exercise, use yoga sensibility and pay attention to your body. If you notice any pain or strain talk to your yoga teacher or doctor immediately.
Why Yoga?
Universities across the nation are studying the effects that yoga may have in creating mental and physical wellness. Holistic yoga uses centuries-old techniques of mental and physical relaxation to soothe the body and mind, creating self-awareness. This ability to access the mindful self seems to act as a barrier to stress, pain and worry.
Who Can Do Yoga?
Anyone of any age or gender can do yoga, but because there are many different types of yoga, not all yoga practices are appropriate for all fitness levels. A holistic yoga practice should take the individual into consideration for the most effective results.
What Do You Need To Practice Yoga?
The first thing a person needs to practice yoga is a quiet place to be still in. The most important aspect of holistic yoga is found in the breath and in the ability to quiet the mind. It is not necessary to spend money on a gym or yoga studio membership to reap the benefits that yoga has to offer your body and mind, though initial instruction can be beneficial in the beginning to ensure proper alignment in the poses. You can use a "sticky mat," or folded blanket to create a surface on the floor or you can simply sit upright in a chair following your breath. Wearing comfortable nonrestricting clothing will enable you to access deeper flexibility.
Hatha Yoga
Classes that are described as Hatha yoga are directed toward the component of yoga that is physical. Hatha yoga classes vary widely depending on the instructor, but according to certified instructor Jennifer Hoover, RYT, of "Hot House Yoga", they tend to be infused with slow-paced stretching, some simple breathing exercises and perhaps seated or lying-down meditation. This form of yoga is friendly to all fitness and age levels to experience the health benefits and emotional calming through basic poses that prime the body for physical and mental relaxation in an environment suited to becoming comfortable with yoga. To reap the full benefits of holistic yoga, be sure to include meditation in your practice.
Vinyasa Yoga
The word vinyasa means “breath-synchronized movement.” The teacher of a vinyasa yoga class will instruct you to move from one pose to the next on an inhale or an exhale; to incorporate self-awareness, let your breath guide tension out as you flow deeper into the pose. This technique is sometimes also called "vinyasa flow," because of the smooth way that the poses flow into each other. Vinyasa yoga can be slow or fast depending on the teacher.
Hot Yoga
Hot yoga, or Bikram yoga, has all the benefits of yoga with the addition of 104 degree heat to heal the most common physical and emotional ailments of the body. For individuals suffering from arthritis or anxiety, this type of yoga offers a healing catharsis that has been shown to be emotionally and physically transformative. It is important to begin a hot yoga practice with a fully hydrated body, and because Bikram yoga may not be appropriate for everyone, it is important to get approval from your doctor before you begin such a class.
References
- "Jivumukti Yoga"; Shannon Gannon and David Life; 2002
- "Health & Wellness Handbook"; The SouthWestern Company; 2005
