International Yoga Day Special: Radiate Positivity Inside Out with Yoga

The 31st May 2020, Man Ki Baat session conducted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed on the significance of Yoga during the coronavirus crisis. In his address to the nation, the PM emphasized how Yoga is “good for the community, immunity and unity”.  With the launch of “Yoga at Home, Yoga with Family” campaign the Ministry of Ayush urges the nation to practice Yoga at home, to counter the effects of the global pandemic and boost overall health. Today, as we celebrate International Yoga Day, let’s explore the discipline further and unleash its greatness from the inside out. 

The term Yoga is a derivation of the Sanskrit word “Yuj” which means yoke or union. The ancient Vedic practice, therefore, celebrates the harmonious union of body and mind extending its benefits to both faculties. Yogic practice incorporates the triple powers of breathing exercises, asanas or poses and meditation to bring the mind, the body and the spirit in a state of perfect equilibrium. This peaceful balance that results from regular yogic practice has immediate physical benefits that can be felt in the form of instant relaxation and reduced stress. Yogic practice is known to come with holistic health benefits, read on to know-how:

Enhances Your Quality of Life

Are you somewhat sedentary but keen on shrugging off stiffness? Or are you into some kind of physical activity and eager to uplevel your performance? Whatever be your case, regular yogic practice will streamline your daily routine while uplifting your holistic sense of being. 

When we are sedentary our bodies begin rebelling against the prospect of activity. Often, despite mustering up all the motivation to embark on an active lifestyle, working out may not necessarily work out for us. The reason being our body’s resistance and that major rebellion brewing against all signs of activity. Navigating through this resistance is simple with Yoga. Regular practice helps reset your priorities and shift gears from mountain-top goals to foundational ones. Yoga teaches you to focus more on simpler things than going after impractical goals. It is Yoga that shifts our attention from stressing over complex fitness schedules and changes the way we perceive, interact, and engage with our bodies. Yoga prompts all to set realistic wellness goals of consistency and mindfulness. With Yoga, those in fitness can sustain their A-game, as their performance stems from a foundation of simplicity and consistency. As for newbies, Yoga requires you to make consistency your simplest step to success. To veterans, Yoga teaches consistently returning to the simple things that may be the path to uplevel performance.

Reinforces Flexibility

One of the most obvious and easily felt benefits of Yoga include increased flexibility. With consistent practice, Yoga gradually helps your body loosen up and allow you to perfect seemingly impossible asanas along the way. Sticking to a regular yogic routine, you will discover aches and pains melting away and your overall posture improving. Additionally, asanas like Adho Mukha Svanasana or Downward-Facing Dog and Ardha Matsyendrasana or Half Lord of the Fishes can enhance balance and flexibility while stabilizing your spine, improving digestion and cleansing toxins from the body.

Strengthens Muscles

In addition to feeling whole and looking good, strong muscles are a boon in protecting us from chronic conditions like arthritis or back pain. A strengthened body helps you in the later years by preventing falls and restoring balance. What’s best, unlike working out at gyms, a daily dose of Yoga builds muscle strength without compromising on your flexibility. To perfect your yoga performance and make it more effective, you can start your practice with a prep up energy or health drink for added stamina. Trusted online health stores stock up several nutritional supplements from across brands to aid regular practice. 1Tab is a storehouse of nutritive care that can help you prep up for your yogic practice daily. Download the App to explore their nutrition and supplement range for more.

Relieves Stress

Yoga is known to reduce anxiety and facilitate mental strength and clarity. Sukhasana and Pranayama or Sitting & Breathing are both known to relieve stress, regulate the heart rate and help you unwind and relax.  Many Yoga asanas inject new life to your spirit by increasing energy and reducing chronic levels of exertion or stress. Asanas like Viparita Karani (Leg- Up-the-Wall) are some popular stress-busting poses that improve blood circulation & relax the nervous system while regulating the heart rate and increasing overall energy in the body. 

Boosts Immunity

Yoga amid the coronavirus pandemic can help boost immunity. Certain Asanas that require you to stretch muscles help regulate the organs thereby maintaining healthy cellular functions.  Time-tested asanas like Trikonasana or Triangle Pose stimulate digestion, improve blood flow while enhancing concentration, balance and immunity. 

Yoga at Home Means Productivity at Work

Often, while working from home, long sedentary days coupled with consecutive stressful nights throw our bodies into what is called the ‘rebel mode’. For most of us, those trying days and tiring nights are often followed by a blaring early morning alarm – promptly snoozed with a promise to start afresh, the next day of course. And that’s usually how, day after day, our wellness goals fizzle out. And we find ourselves swiftly settling into that survival-kind-of-a-mode with stress staring us in the eye and productivity slipping our reach. If rolling out of bed and diving straight into your at-home workspace has been your daily routine, Yoga is the way to go.

This International Yoga Day is your shot to squeeze in a few Yoga asanas into your day, turn the brilliance within and keep the light glowing during these dark times. If you do not have the time for an elaborate set of asanas, start with the basic 8 posture Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutation sequence. Whenever you glide through an asana, make sure your breath is in sync with the movement of your body. If you are new to the discipline of Yoga or are still learning the poses, limit the repetitions to 2 or 3.If you wish to seamlessly flow through each pose, look up a video with all asanas and follow suit. Once you continue your practice, you can gradually up level to a couple of reps each day. For people working from home, the Surya Namaskar asana acts as an excellent full-body workout to target all your body parts at once and breathe in greater energy, fitness and increased productivity all along.

So why not celebrate your physical and mental wellness by adopting "Yoga at Home, Yoga with Family"? daily? Practice Yoga everyday to reap its benefits and balance your work and life all at once.