Why Do Yoga? 6 Reasons To Start A Yoga Practice Today
What Do Yoga? For Relieving Aches and Pains
Why do yoga?
Many people have a regular yoga practice because this helps to alleviate and eliminate stress, aches and pain. The type of yoga practices available in the courses and classes on this site are not intended for supporting people with serious or acute pain. Medical treatment is more appropriate in this case. However Holistic Yoga and Holistic Somatics practices are helpful in addressing ongoing aches, pains and niggles that just won’t budge. These can be due to:sitting at a desk, or in a car, all day
- lacking a diversity of movement in life
- having a poor posture, excessive sitting
- having stiff or loose connective tissues / fascia
- holding tension in the body due to stress (physical, mental, emotional)
- accommodating an old injury that has healed
In my own experience (and that that of my students) I’ve seen yoga and somatics help to alleviate
- knee pain,
- back pain,
- shoulder pain,
- neck pain,
- hip pain and
- tension related headaches.
Why Do Yoga? For Relieving Stiffness and Promoting Strength and Flexibility
People often choose yoga as they feel tightness in their muscles. Yoga is great for easing out stiffness, tightness and improving your range of movement. However it’s important to know that some types of yoga can cause stress and pain for people who are very flexible (hypermobile). Also some yoga movements are not suitable for people with certain types of joint or back pain. It really isn’t just a case of “it it hurts stretch it.” More often than not, strengthening is needed and stretching can make things worse. It is important to choose a teacher that has experience of working with joint pain conditions.
Why Do Yoga? For Mental Health and Wellbeing
Another reason that yoga is popular is that it helps enormously with supporting your mental health and wellbeing. Before having a regular yoga practice, I was a very nervous person. Yoga helped me to feel less anxious, I learned how to calm myself down in difficult situations. Scientific studies show that there is a physiological basis this. I found I became more relaxed more comfortable, and confident both mentally and physically. With regular practice, certain neurotransmitters associated with stress decrease. This enabled me to relax and enjoy life more. It can do the same for you!
Click here to find out more about yoga for stress and anxiety
Why Do Yoga? Because it Has Been Shown to Reduce Inflammation
Research shows that yoga can help to lower cytokine levels and reduce levels of inflammation that are associated with stress and natural ageing. Yoga can be helpful, alongside regular treatments, to control inflammation in conditions such as arthritis, cancer, heart disease and fibromyalgia.
Why Do Yoga? Because It Helps You To Sleep and Relax Better
Yoga breathing and muscles tension releasing helps our nervous systems to relax so that we can rest, digest and restore ourselves more easily. Modern life can mean that we are in a constant state of stress even when we think we are relaxing. By using yoga techniques of breathing, stretching, mindfulness and relaxation we improve vagal nerve tone, this means we are able to switch from a stressed state to a relaxed state more readily and easily.
Why Do Yoga? Because it Can be Adapted for Every Body
It’s my great pleasure to share these practices with anyone who is interested in improving their health and wellbeing. Regardless of your age, gender, background, flexibility, health or mobility challenges – yoga can help you feel better. There’s no need to be able to touch your toes or put your foot behind your head. So why not give yoga a try?
OK … So Where Do I Start?
There are three choices of how to access Holistic Yoga classes online. Choose what suits you best.
Classes
Holistic Somatics
Holistic Yoga
Free Meditation
All classes are currently on Zoom, use the button below to browse the timetable and book your class. In-person classes in Crouch End available after the summer break.
Private Classes
Holistic Somatics
Holsitic Yoga
Anatomy in Motion
This choice is ideal for new students, or those who prefer more tailored instruction. Email Julia about in-person 1-2-1 classes or book a Zoom 1-2-1 class by clicking the button below
Courses
Audio Courses:
Holistic Somatics 7-Weeks
Gentle Yoga 7-Weeks
Video Courses
Yoga for Resilience and Longevity
Yoga for Lower Back Health
On-demand yoga classes to fit in with your schedule.
