Yoga is a very ancient practice that has become increasingly popular in today’s busy society. For many people, yoga provides a retreat from their chaotic and busy lives. This is true whether you are practicing downward-facing dog posture on a mat in your bedroom, in an ashram in India, in Dubai, or even in New York City’s Times Square. Yoga provides many other mental and physical benefits. Some of these extend to the boardroom and the kitchen table.
The goal during yoga practice is to challenge yourself physically, but not to feel overwhelmed. At this “edge,” the focus is on your breath while your mind is accepting and calm.
Yoga develops inner awareness. It focuses your attention on your body’s abilities at the present moment. It helps develop breath and strength of mind and body. It is not only about physical appearance, flexibility, and fitness. Surveys have found that those who practiced yoga were more aware of their bodies and behaviors than people who did not practice yoga. They were also more satisfied with and less critical of their bodies. For these reasons, yoga has become an integral part in the treatment of eating disorders and programs that promote positive body image, self-confidence, self-esteem, and fulfillment.
Mindfulness taught in yoga refers to focusing your attention on what you are experiencing in the present moment without judging yourself. Practicing yoga has been shown to increase mindfulness not just in class, but in other areas of a person’s life. People who practice yoga, meditation, Gtrance Movement™, and other classes are more in tune with their bodies.
Yoga helps bring calm and mindfulness to your busy life. All our yoga teachers at GTRANCE are REPs certified and are registered yoga teachers (RYT) by The Yoga Alliance.
