For thousands of years, the practice of rolling out your mat and discovering the combination of physical and mental exercises that calms the mind and strengthens the body has hooked yoga practitioners around the world.
More than a physical workout, yoga is a full mind and body exercise. And as a philosophy, it teaches that everything we need to tend to life’s difficulties is all within us. It allows us to slow down, get quiet, and pay attention to our wisdom. Yoga allows us to gain clarity about deciding, improving a situation, or solving a problem.
It counters societal conditioning that teaches us to look outside of ourselves for answers, seeking external validation for our decisions and dreams. We have learned to go faster, push harder, follow others’ advice, and keep up with trends, but this practice helps us make sense of these and find internal peace.
Between 2012 and 2017, the percentage of people in the United States practicing yoga increased from 9.5% to 14.3% among adults.
WHY DO PEOPLE PRACTICE YOGA?
The 2012 National Health Interview Survey reported that around 94% of people who practice yoga in the U.S. do so for wellness reasons, while 17.5 percent did it to treat a specific health condition. It is for this reason that Yorvana exists, to provide you with satisfying, accurate, and actionable information to help you lead a less stressful and healthier lifestyle.
Practitioners said yoga benefits their health by encouraging them to exercise more, inspiring them to eat healthily, and by improving their sleep quality.
They added that it also reduces their stress levels, and motivates them to smoke less, and reduces their alcohol intake.
Practicing yoga comes with many benefits for both mental and physical health. If you want to experience any of its benefits, you can enroll in a yoga teacher training in Bali or any other place. Though not all the acclaimed benefits are science-backed, let’s look here at the effect of yoga on your self-confidence.
HOW YOGA BOOST YOUR SELF-CONFIDENCE
IT HELPS TO REDUCE ANXIETY
Studies have shown that practicing yoga can lead to a decrease in symptoms of
Anxiety. Many people practice yoga to cope with anxiety.
In a research study, 34 women diagnosed with an anxiety disorder took part in yoga classes twice weekly for two months. At the end of the study, those who practiced yoga had significantly low levels of anxiety than the control group.
Although it is not clear how yoga reduces symptoms of anxiety, the study emphasizes the importance of being present in the moment and finding a sense of peace, which could help treat anxiety.
When you are less anxious, you tend to believe more in your core strength, and you appear more confident.
IT IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF LIFE
Some studies show that yoga could improve quality of life and may work as an adjunct therapy for some conditions.
A study on the effects of yoga on cognition and quality of life reveals that practicing yoga can significantly improve quality of life, mood, and fatigue for practitioners.
Yoga can also help to improve sleep quality, reduce symptoms of depression, enhance spiritual well-being, and improve social function.
IT HELPS YOU STAND TALL BY REDUCING BACK PAIN
Back pain affects around 80% of adults at least once in their lifetime, affecting the ability to perform daily tasks, exercise, and sleep.
Research suggests that yoga is as effective at relieving back pain as physical therapy and that it has lasting benefits.
Proven to be a convenient and inexpensive way to provide back pain relief, practicing yoga boosts your ability to stand tall and engage in more activities.
IT HELPS TO STIMULATE BRAIN FUNCTION
Yoga can stimulate brain function, and boost energy levels, according to several studies.
A 2012 research found that one yoga session can improve the speed and accuracy of a person’s working memory. Although the study revealed that the effects occurred immediately after the exercise and were short-term.
However, several other studies suggest that yoga can not only improve mental flexibility but also enhance the ability to switch tasks and recall information among adults.
IT CAN HELP TO LOSE WEIGHT
In 2013, an NCCIH-supported review looked at 17 yoga-based weight control programs and discovered that most of them led to gradual reductions in weight. Another review in 2016 also showed that yoga can help to reduce body mass index.
These programs included elements like longer and more frequent yoga sessions, a yoga-based dietary component, home practice, and so on.
DOES YOGA BOOST CONFIDENCE?
Research on the practice of yoga as a non-competitive, physical exercise combined with breathing and meditation techniques shows that practicing yoga can be connected to improved psychological well-being and positive self-esteem.