So you’ve heard the news: yoga offers amazing wonders to the mind, body and soul. The good news is that it is not just for the flexible or those who love yoga pants. Yoga is for the willing. It is for everyone who wants to find transcendence inside out. So don’t be afraid to take those gravity-defying poses. They can transform your life.

A little history of yoga

Yoga is an ancient practice dating to as far as 3000 B.C. History has it that yoga was developed by the Indus-Sarasvati civilization in the Northern Indian regions. The original techniques were focused to initiate spiritual growth. During these ancient era, yoga practices were centered to achieve harmony between the heart and soul and as a path to divine enlightenment. As centuries pass by and as humanity evolves, yoga adapted with the changes and its benefits expanded with time.

Mental health benefits of yoga

The constant chatter in our heads, often referred by science as the “monkey mind”, has been embedded with us we progress in our modern world. The monkey mind jumps from one thought to another, so it is almost impossible to find a moment in a day where your mind is empty or zen. The human brain can process 2,100 thoughts per hour and up 80 000 thoughts a day. It is no wonder why we feel so overwhelmed at times. All these chatters could lead to a whole lot of mental stress. What yoga does is it helps tame all those chaotic thoughts. It centers you to think on the present and be in the moment. As you are on the mat and as thoughts focus on your breathing, you’ll find yourself in a naturally calmness state with your attention shifted to the present. This will make you feel that instant mental reboot even after your very first yoga session. Yoga is like a safeguard for your psyche against the stress and strain of everyday-ness. Most modern yoga practices combine posture, breathing techniques and mindfulness to improve mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.

The benefits

Beyond increased flexibility and improved posture, yoga offers a handful benefits for our physical health. Had one too many? Yoga is a way to detox and rejuvenate your system faster. Shoulder stand and fish poses reverse blood flow, helping the metabolism flush off alcohol faster.

Yoga for spirituality

Because of its roots, yoga and inner spiritually are always intertwined. Through centuries, Yoga never loses its stand as a holistic approach to connect the inner being and spirituality. Today’s yoga techniques are centered on energy that flows through the body and core. Breathing techniques will open up your higher awareness; allowing your soul to transcend beyond the mundane. Somehow, yoga gives this beautiful experience that opens an unknown part in us: the part that craves something beyond what the world can give us

An invitation right off the mat

Make an ode to take care of your mind, body and soul and explore the endless benefits of yoga for you. Go on. Get on your yoga pants. Unroll the mat. Soar higher in life.