Yoga and meditation are two ancient forms of physical and mental exercise. These practices, which date back thousands of years, are still popular today and, in many ways, more relevant in modern times. Switching off and clearing your mind is invaluable, and both practices can help you achieve this. We’ll look at the benefits of yoga and meditation in this write-up.
What is Yoga?
Yoga is one of the oldest forms of exercise, focusing on strength, flexibility, and breathing. Yoga, which originated in India more than 5,000 years ago, has evolved over time and is now a popular activity in many gyms and fitness centers around the world.
It can be interpreted in various ways. People practice yoga for a variety of reasons. It is frequently used to improve flexibility, whether by someone who is very active or by someone recovering from an injury who requires physiotherapy. Others will practice it for its overall health benefits.
Yoga was once a way of life, but it is now something people do in their spare time. Anyone who practiced it was committing to a particular way of life. This is why many people wonder if yoga is a religion. It used to extend into how you ate, interacted with others, worked, and even bathed. There are parallels to those who practice yoga today, who also live a healthier lifestyle.
What is Meditation?
Meditation, like yoga, has grown in popularity in recent years. Many people have taken up the practice for overall well-being as an increasing number of people seek a healthier and more holistic lifestyle. But it is much more than prayer or a quiet moment to think. It is a type of training that many people accept as a way of life because it relieves us of our worries and discomfort, allowing us to achieve a state of happiness and contentment.
You will become more aware and develop a broader perspective without changing. Meditation allows people to observe without passing judgment and gain a better understanding of the big picture.
Meditation is a practice that has numerous health, mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits. It relieves stress, calms the nerves, and thus prevents many different types of illnesses in your body, as stress is said to be responsible for up to 80% of doctor visits. It improves your attention, self-awareness, memory, and resilience, making you better at learning and decision-making. Meditation helps you manage anxiety, depression, fear, and other mood disorders in your emotional life; it also increases emotional intelligence and positive moods.
The Benefits of Meditation and Yoga
Here are some combined benefits of meditation and yoga that may surprise you;
- For Spirituality
Yoga, as opposed to meditation, maybe the key to unlocking the mysterious dimension of spirit we all possess. Fortunately, for many of us in recovery, there is no mandate regarding the type of spirituality we seek. Meditation is a technique for calming our overworked nervous system and reducing the constant stream of mental activity that we all experience. We are better able to explore our inner selves this way. This is sometimes referred to as yoga mindful meditation.
- For Regular Day
Addiction recovery is the process of discovering who we truly are beneath the façade we present to the world in order to deceive ourselves or others that we are fine.
In our daily lives, there can be too much static and noise. Meditation can help you discover and accept yourself. Meditation allows us to connect with our inner selves or spirits if you will. This work is commonly referred to as the “spiritual aspect” of recovery.
- For Breathing
Pranayama practice is one technique for calming the mind. The word pranayamaPranayama is from Sanskrit and literally means regulation of the breath. Breath control is an important aspect of both yoga and meditation.
If you find yourself ruminating or having difficulty moving on from a negative space, try pranayamaPranayama. When you become lost in thought, you can always return to the present moment. To achieve a relaxed state, try using controlled breathing, especially if you are feeling ‘Hungry’ (hungry/angry). Let’s say you want to breathe in for a count of five. Then hold it for five counts, then release it for the same amount of time.
- Reduces Stress
Beginning a mindfulness meditation practice to slow our thought process almost immediately results in a reduction in stress, which also has a positive effect on our overactive nervous system. Improving our ability to focus on the present moment also allows us to experience the pleasant physical sensations of peace that mindfulness meditation begins to provide.
- Relaxation
Aside from the chemicals produced by the body during yoga, the physical aspect of a regular yoga practice can also help the student work through the pain, joint stiffness, and muscle tension, which can, of course, help one relax after a workout.
The Final Words
Combining yoga and meditation reaps the benefits of both practices. Shavasana, which is commonly referred to as “corpse pose,” is the formal name for the meditation portion of yoga. At the end of yoga practice, exhausted students lie face-up on the ground, eyes closed, limbs spread comfortably outward as if they were a corpse. Though Shavasana sounds more appealing.
