Taste for Healthy: Cultivate Mental Clarity with Yoga

Greetings wellness lovers! I hope you are having an excellent week!

Today I have a special article for you by guest blogger Valerie Johnston... all about the mental benefits of yoga!?

In college, I discovered the effectiveness of yoga when it came to managing stress... and ever since my first yoga class, it's been an essential element of my multi-weekly well-being routine. :)

Cultivate Mental Clarity with Yoga

By Valerie Johnston, Healthline

Yoga is an ancient discipline that originated in India thousands of years ago. Since the practice of yoga was introduced to the West in the late 19^th century, a growing number of people became familiar with the discipline until it exploded in popularity in the 1980s. Over the last few decades, yoga has become a household name and is practiced by people from all walks of life.?? A growing number of people practice yoga as a part of their fitness program. Yoga can be used to increase flexibility, reduce the risk of injury, boost stamina, develop strength, and many other aspects of fitness.? There is also a strong psychological component to yoga. Individuals who suffer from anxiety or depression, for example, may find that they also have difficulty concentrating. Chronic anxiety and depression have a way of causing a mental fog that does not allow a person to think clearly. Other mental health disorders can also reduce brain function and cause cloudy thinking. Even if you don?t suffer from a mental health issue such as generalized anxiety disorder or depression, you may still struggle to maintain mental clarity. In the modern world, many of us are constantly bombarded by information and live busy lifestyles. Yoga gives us a way to slow down and clear our minds. Adopting the Yogic Lifestyle

Developing positive mental health takes a well-rounded approach. Self-acceptance, positive relationships with other people, personal growth, a healthy diet, and regular exercise, including yoga, are all important factors that contribute to improved mental health. Without a healthy balance of these benefits in your life, it can be difficult to maintain mental clarity.

Adopting a yogic lifestyle is easier than ever. There are a number of resources people can use to begin the practice of yoga, no matter where you live. If you have access to a yoga class, this is the best way to gain hands-on experience in the practice. An experienced teacher can show you how to perform poses (asanas) that result in a healthier mind and body. Many people leave yoga classes feeling a dramatically improved sense of well-being and mental clarity. These benefits typically extend into one?s work life, social life, and family life. If you don?t have access to a yoga class near you, there are plenty of helpful DVDs, books, and online resources that will help you get started. If improved emotional well-being and mental clarity are your goals, then look for resources that demonstrate how to perform poses that assist in achieving these objectives. Focused Breathing and Yoga While breathing is a natural instinct for humans, you may be surprised to discover that you do not breathe in a way that optimizes your emotional and physical health. Deep breathing and focused breathing are a common part of yoga practice. Developing proper breathing techniques can have a dramatic affect on your ability to concentrate in any given situation. Proper breathing will also ensure that an ideal amount of oxygen reaches your internal organs and muscles, which will promote your overall fitness.

How often do you reach for distractions in your everyday life? While there?s nothing wrong with listening to an iPod, watching television, text messaging, or using other modern devices, there is a growing addiction to these distractions. Overuse of devices for distraction can cause our mental well-being to become unbalanced, which can lead to memory problems, anxiety, lack of clarity, and other issues. Through the regular practice of yoga and other body-mind techniques, you will be able to achieve higher levels of mental clarity, awareness, lucidity, and emotional wellness. As an added advantage, you will also be able to improve your physical fitness so that you both look and feel increasingly rejuvenated.

Valerie Johnston is a health and fitness writer located in East Texas. With ambitions of one day running a marathon and writing for Healthline.com ensures she keeps up-to-date on all of the latest health and fitness news.

I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did! What's your favorite mental benefit of yoga?

Have a lovely week!!

Xoxo,
Ashley?

Source: http://tasteforhealthy.blogspot.com/2012/10/cultivate-mental-clarity-with-yoga.html

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