Dwelling in the present moment, I know this is the only moment.
- Thich Nhat Hahn
Emotional Benefits of Yoga
Mental Calmness: The yoga practice is a physical practice and by concentrating so intently on what your body is doing, it has the effect of bringing a calmness to the mind. Yoga also introduces you to meditation techniques, such as how you breathe and disengagement from your thoughts, which helps to calm the mind.
Stress Reduction: The physical activity is also good for relieving stress, and this is particularly true of yoga. Because of the concentration required, your daily troubles, both large and small, seem to melt away during the time you are doing yoga. This provides a much-needed break from your stressors, as well as helping put things into perspective. The emphasis yoga places on being in the moment can also help relieve stress, as you learn not to dwell on past events or anticipate the future. You will leave a yoga class feeling less stressed than when you started.
Body Awareness: Doing yoga will give you an increased awareness of your own body. You are often called upon to make small, subtle movements to improve your alignment. Over time, this will increase your level of comfort in your own body. This can lead to improved posture and greater self-confidence.
