From balancing positions to therapeutic yoga, this ancient practice has the ability to heal us from the inside out.
Our job is the main trigger for emotional stress; long hours, financial stress, workload and deadlines, lack of work-life balance – all lead to high levels of stress. Several studies and research have shown this. For example, the Mind Share Partners survey found that a large number of millennials have given up their jobs in search of better opportunities due to high pressure at work, as well as stress and anxiety.
Another report, from the Pew Research Center, found that Generation Y suffers more from exhaustion than other generations due to overtime and stagnant wages. These, in turn, affect their productivity and their ability to concentrate and complete tasks. And the American Psychological Association (APA) reported in the annual American Stress Survey that Generation Y is the most stressed.
Being the first generation to experience a world driven by technological innovation, millennials live extremely fast lives. Exhausted, alone or stressed, it becomes increasingly difficult to find solutions to the mental health problems they are facing. And here comes yoga.
Yoga is known for helping the practitioner to overcome lifestyle issues such as obesity, insomnia, anxiety, stress and many other mental and physical problems. Yoga also doubles as an intense physical workout, while offering calmness and peace of mind.
In a chaotic world that requires multitasking to keep up with all the work, yoga becomes a mental, spiritual and physical practice combined. And, if we add the social aspect with various classes, yoga retreats and communities that practice yoga together, it becomes obvious why more and more millennials choose this activity.
What makes yoga work is that it focuses on relaxing the body and thus relaxing the mind.
Yoga is for everyone. Age, weight, flexibility, injuries, etc. I teach yoga to be accessible to anyone.
There are many forms and styles of yoga. From balancing positions to therapeutic yoga for those with specific health conditions, this ancient science can be modified to suit your needs and has the ability to heal you from the inside out.
Let’s take a look at how regular yoga practice can help you heal on the outside and inside.
1. Neck pains
Is this tech-savvy world turning into a generation of hunchbacks?
The “technical neck” is one of the most visible effects of using a mobile phone for long periods of time. Continuous sitting at the office and holding your neck in the wrong position can also cause significant postural tension in your neck, back, and shoulders.
The good news is that yoga helps to eliminate stiffness and pain in the neck area.
Try these yoga asanas
A nine-week study shows that yoga has led to relief of upper back pains and improvements in patients with chronic neck pains.
Some post recommendations: Adho mukha svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog), Salamba Matsyasana (Fish Pose) with blocks below the shoulder and neck region, Marjariasana (Cat pose), Shalabasana (Locust pose) and Jathara Parivartanasana (reclining spinal twist).
2. Prolonged sitting time
Any prolonged sitting can be harmful. Numerous studies have linked sitting for long periods of time with a number of health problems, such as obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol levels.
Try these yoga poses
First of all, you need to include a break every 30 minutes in your daily routine!
On the yoga mat, you can try Mountain Pose (Tadasana), Standing Forward Fold (Uttanasana), Cat and Cow pose (Marijariasana), Butterfly pose (Baddhakonasa), Cobra pose (Bhujangasana), Child’s pose (Balasana) and Happy Baby pose (Ananda Balasana )
3. Creative thinking
Lack of motivation, uncertainty, fear of thinking beyond the patterns can be some side effects of a job with a schedule from 9 to 5 that does not allow you to take breaks, to express yourself, to contribute creatively, to think and analyze. Fear of self-expression and lack of confidence can lead to low energy levels, fatigue and drowsiness, impaired decision-making, mood swings, loss of appetite, etc.
Try these yoga poses:
Yoga helps to remove blockages at all levels and allows energy to flow freely. And it helps you find your daily dose of inspiration.
On the mat, try to make a combination of light postures with more challenging ones, such as Sukhasana (cross-legged sitting asana), Vajrasana (Thunderbolt pose), Camel (Ustrasana), Eka Pada Rajkapotasana(King Pigeon Pose), Parivrtta Surya Yantrasana(Seated Compass Pose) and inversions such as Headstand (Sirsasana) and Vrischikasana (Scorpion pose).
4. Improving memory
As multitasking at work and in personal life is inevitable today, the body must be healthy and strong, and the mind too. Studies show that multitasking, stress, lack of sleep and 24/7 technology cause short-term memory problems.
Learning something new, reading in physical format, socializing (offline) with friends and loved ones, sleeping well are all great ways to improve memory, including at least 30 minutes of yoga daily.
Meditation or mindfulness, turning the focus on breathing, body sensations or even on an object, every day for 10-15 minutes, are really useful not only for increasing memory, but also for combating stress and increasing concentration.
When you practice breathing Brahmari pranayama, with asanas such as Padmasana (lotus pose), Paschimotthanasana (Seated Forward Bend), Vrksasana (Tree Pose) and Halasana (Plough pose) you help to improve memory.
5. General well-being
There is no doubt that Gen Y values their quality of life more than anything else. In a recent study, 79% said that family is important in their lives, followed by health and wellness in 53%, friends – 39%, spirituality – 31% and career – 27%.
With this in mind, you may be wondering why a generation that is conscious and eager to take care of their physical, mental, and social life, still fails to maintain a general well-being?
Studies show that despite all the awareness and facilities, the financial and work stress factors are very high and can prevent them from going to regular health check-ups, limiting access to doctors, health and wellness centers. Because being connected and informed does not necessarily mean that the person is mentally in a happy place.
Try Yoga positions:
On the mat, practice at least five rounds of Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar A and B) is extremely beneficial. Complete with Navasana, Uttkatasana, Virabhadrasana, Cobra (Bhujangasana), Vajrasana, Pawanmuktasana and Savasana. Repeat at least three times in each position.
You can practice this sequence every morning for at least 14 days and you will notice significant changes in your body and mind.
