Also check out: ‘The Physical Benefits of Yoga.’
Our mind is the supercomputer that controls our thoughts and feelings. With over 100 billion neurons in our brain, there’s a lot of computing power to manage. It’s estimated that we can have over 60,000 thoughts a day so learning to focus our minds on helpful thoughts, rather than negative or worrying beliefs, can be really beneficial to our state of mind.
5 major mental benefits when you do yoga:
1. Quietens the mind – Mindfulness is an important component of yoga practice. It teaches us to observe our thoughts and let go of those that don’t serve us. Instead of being caught up in repetitive thought loops, Yoga slows down our ever-racing minds and encourages us to be in the here and now, rather than in the past replaying old thoughts, or in the future worrying about things over which we have no control.
2. Helps you focus– Having more control over your thoughts is one of life’s greatest gifts, giving you the time, space and energy to reflect on what you really need in your life. I find concentrating on where you place your limbs in a yoga sequence is a great way to focus the mind. The physical sensations of a deep stretch tend to take priority over the mind’s chatter, while just keeping the breath regular can ensure you remain focused in your practice.
3. Switches the mind to the ‘relax’ mode– We respond to stress in similar ways – our hearts race, our breath stops, our eyes dilate, we tense up, and our thinking becomes clouded. Most yoga classes include relaxation techniques to teach you how to alleviate this stress response and move to resting and healing functions.
4. Releases Good Brain Chemicals– Regular yoga has been found to improve depression with a significant increase in serotonin levels, and conversely a decrease in the levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and monoamine oxidase (an enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters). High levels of cortisol affect the immune system and the body stays on high alert even when there is no danger. Chronically high levels will undermine your memory and may lead to permanent changes in the brain. In addition, excessive levels have been linked with depression, osteoporosis, high blood pressure and insulin resistance.
5. Increases mental awareness –When we learn to recognize our feelings rather than resisting or denying them, we are better able to deal with negative sensations as something that will pass. Yoga teaches us to sit with discomfort; to be steady when our lives can often seem turbulent and challenging; to respond rather than to react.Through yoga, we learn to be more compassionate to ourselves, and others.