Why should you practise yoga?

Every day we connect with different kinds of people, but how often do we connect with ourselves or our bodies? To live a healthy and fulfilling life, we need to balance our physical and mental states; that is, we need to connect our bodies to our souls. Practising yoga is a fine way to achieve that balance.
The first thing that might come to mind when hearing the word 'yoga' is exercise. But it goes beyond that. Yoga is a process of physical and mental training involving a high concentration level to ensure inhalation and exhalation are carefully controlled to coordinate with physical movements.
Yoga, a form of ancient practice and meditation, has grown in popularity in today's fast-paced society. It provides many people with a respite from their chaotic lives. Originating in Hinduism, yoga offers a path to achieving a higher state of consciousness and union with the divine. It is celebrated annually around the world as the International Day of Yoga on June 21 for its many benefits.
Yoga comes in a variety of forms. One of the most popular styles is Hatha, a fusion of several styles. It is a more physical form of yoga as opposed to a still, meditative form. Hatha yoga emphasises pranayamas (breath-control exercises), followed by a series of asanas (yoga postures) and savasana (a period of rest).
"Yoga is not just an asana (pose); it is a way of life," says Maria Hasiba, a fourth-year student of Mass Communication and Journalism at Dhaka University.
"It is my companion in every moment, inspiring me to make the good times even better and toughening me up in the bad times. When you feel like you can't hold on to any step in life, a few yoga asana-pranayamas are enough to calm your mind", she says.
Benefits of Yoga
Strengthens the body: In yoga, our own body weight is used as a form of resistance training to increase core strength and build strength across the entire body. Chaturanga, for example, is a key flowing transition in yoga that strengthens your upper body and core, whereas warrior poses work your lower body (hamstrings, quads, and glutes).
Helps reduce stress and anxiety: Yoga poses may aid you in releasing physical blockages such as muscle knots and helping release emotions and tension. The Boston University Medical Center in the USA found that yoga is superior to all forms of exercise for improving mood. Yoga is linked to increased GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), whose low levels are associated with anxiety and depression, and decreased anxiety.
According to another study published in 2018 in the National Library of Medicine, women who practised Hatha yoga three times a week for four weeks experienced significant reductions in stress, depression, and anxiety after 12 sessions.
Many problems, one solution: Yoga has been proven as a working treatment process for poor blood circulation, high blood pressure, arthritis, osteoporosis, limited mobility, lower back pain, breathing problems, headaches, etc., in various studies.
"I practice a few asanas multiple times a day; it relieves my lower back pain," says Tahmina Chowdhury. The 50-year-old homemaker completed a yoga course a few years ago and now helps nine other women with similar health conditions by teaching them the necessary yoga poses.
Tahmina started teaching yoga after a neighbour practised with her one day and later thanked her for how light and relieved she felt following the session. Due to its focus on a controlled, rhythmic breathing process and steady poses, yoga is suitable for anyone.
Builds discipline, patience, and confidence: Yoga philosophy addresses the mind's relationship to spiritual growth. An effective yoga practice should involve a combination of three key principles: slow movements, coordinating breathing with those movements, and keeping a calm mind throughout.
Maria shared her love of yoga, "I love to finish any work before time. Yoga taught me the proper use of time, punctuality, patience, and confidence. But most of all, it helped me to be disciplined."
A yoga practitioner is required to maintain a certain lifestyle that not only helps them become fitter but also maintains consistency. Fitness boosts confidence, and consistency builds discipline.
"Yoga not only happens to the body but also shapes the mind. When you feel pain in a yoga asana, you don't focus on the pain; you keep your focus on your destination, which will help you achieve your goal," said the yoga enthusiast.
Helps lose weight: Yoga for weight loss may seem like a peculiar concept, especially if you've always thought of it as primarily a form of meditation. However, another advantage of yoga is that it can aid in losing fat.
Yoga poses mostly aim at enhancing body flexibility and muscle tone. Both of these contribute to a steady weight loss journey by increasing the body's fat-burning capacity. It requires perseverance, patience, and persistence. Its results take time.
Yoga has no age or gender. But it does have multifaceted benefits and zero disadvantages. From mental clarity to alleviating sleeping problems, it can tap into any issue your body might be suffering from. It even helps keep the hormones in balance and treat fertility issues.
Yoga doesn't require any instruments or protein shakes. It's only you and your yoga mat against the world. Start practising today, and soon you will find your own new reasons why you should practice yoga.

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