As the nationwide lockdown has been extended due to coronavirus, people are getting concerned about their health. As social-distancing has reduced our physical movements, it is important to uplift vitality without having to step out of the comfort of your home. With the practice of good hygiene, one must also adopt ways to boost your immunity naturally.
Yoga is a sustainable practice and a holistic health option that everyone can access. It can be adapted and learned by everyone throughout the world. It’s a perfect time to start a regular yoga routine as we all are ‘working from home’ and social-distancing due to lockdown scenario.
This traditional routine is known to nourish the brain as it leads the mind and body. It also relishes your senses and makes you aware of your well-being and surrounding. Yoga promotes alpha brain waves by increasing cortical thickness, which leads the learning and memory abilities. Techniques of reflection & meditation infuse a sense of mindfulness, also regulates breathing and a sense of tranquillity and well-being is maintained.
With modernization, there has been a distinct change in the health habits of many. Whether you’re someone who is into freelancing, or currently working from home due to the COVID situation, or taking a sabbatical from work, to indulge in a fitness routine will help relax body stiffness, boosts energy, improves blood circulation and keeps you energized.
Studies show that a sixty-minute meditation session can help reduce anxiety for up to an hour post-meditation, improve sleeping patterns and in turn improves the quality of life, improves the immune system, inculcates a positive outlook towards life and drives away negative thoughts, and also helps you plan your day better.
As a nutritionist and Yoga practitioner, I believe we should celebrate life and live with Yoga. Mark this day and take a few practical steps in daily life towards health with this yoga asana.
Purvottanasana- This particular asana or known as the upward plank pose helps you unwind from stress and body stiffness. Not just that but also helps you build a strong core, fuels you up with optimism as this upward plank pushes your heart high and naturally easing your breathing. This asana also helps you dial back into the mode of relaxation and is not something too complicated for beginners either!
Urdhva Mukhva Svasanasa- Popularly known as the upward dog pose, this asana improves posture, helps relieve fatigue and mild depression, strengthens the arms, spine, and wrist, and also improves blood circulation.
Pachimottanasana- This seated forward bend yoga pose is considered to be the most important asana in hatha yoga. This particular asana is known to help digestion, tone the shoulders and stretches the lower back, hamstrings, and hips, calms brain activity thereby relieving one from any form of stress or anxiety, and massages and tones the abdominal and pelvic organs.
Uttanasana- Known as the standing forward bend pose, this asana will give that much-needed stretch to your hamstrings and also soothe your mind. While this pose particularly helps you calm your brain, releasing you of all the stress and tension, it also helps combat headaches and insomnia, reduces fatigue, and improves digestion.
Paripurna Navasana- Also known as the ‘boat pose’, this asana is known to strengthen the abdomen, hip flexors, and spine removes bloating and also stimulates the kidneys, thyroid and prostate glands, and intestines.
There is one common factor in all these asanas, and that is relaxation of the mind, body, and soul. While there are several forms of workout out there, the benefits of Yoga, in the long run, are unmatched when compared to the rest. I strongly believe that in this modern and fast-paced world while we all are trying to cope with some stress or anxiety, Yoga can truly help you fight all your battles- big or small.
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