The Her Campus MU free yoga session is this Wednesday and since all of us are super excited about it, we thought it fitting to look up some yoga basics for those on campus who are interested in attending! Read up, educate yourselves, and come to Room 44 in Withrow Court at 7 pm on March 27th for a fun and relaxing time.
What is yoga?
Many people do not know that yoga has been practiced for thousands of years! The term “yoga” first appeared in Hindu scriptures produced around 400 BCE, where it is defined as a steady control of the senses. Hindus believe, if properly practiced, it can be used as a process of reflection.
Although the original practice has Asian roots, many Westerners have started utilizing the practice outside of religious purposes and have redefined yoga as more of a physical discipline. Most Westernized yoga classes focus on practicing physical poses, breathing techniques, and sometimes meditation, aspects that have been proven to provide various benefits to your body and mind!
Individuals in various cultures use it for different reasons, but the essential elements of yoga are recognized all over the world! Close to 11 million Americans alone are estimated to practice yoga on a daily basis.
Health Perks:
As a non-aerobic form of exercise, yoga is a great way for just about anyone to work on their flexibility, balance, and strength, all at the same time. Many people enjoy yoga because of its low demand for physical ability, due to its focus on slow, controlled movements, rather than strenuous activity such as cardio or weight lifting. Most gyms offer a wide range of yoga classes, providing something for newbies, professionals, and anyone in between!
Doctors frequently recommend yoga to people who suffer from disabilities of both the body and mind. Studies in the past have concluded that practicing yoga on a regular basis can help when treating many things such as chronic back pain, asthma, and fatigue (just to name a few!). It has been found to decrease stress, lower blood pressure, and improve sleep quality. Yoga techniques are also used by some people suffering from depression to increase helpful chemical activity in the brain. So if you’re feeling down, do some yoga! Doing one hour of asanas (sequence of standing, sitting and balancing poses) can actually raise levels of the chemical GABA which can lead to a happier outlook!
Quick Tips:
Don’t try learning yoga on your own: Work with a credentialed instructor, or if that’s not possible, work with an experienced friend who can help you learn the proper way to perform exercises and lessen your chances of injury.
Warm up: Cold muscles can be easily pulled or strained when practicing yoga so make sure to always limber up every time before you participate in any form of yoga.
Wear proper clothing: Wear clothing that allows you to move freely but stay close to your body. You want to wear clothes that don’t slip or slide when you move around.
Fight the urge to compete: We are ALL guilty of this- we go to our gyms and get that urge to compete with those around us. We sneak a peak at the girl’s machine next to us and see how many calories she’s burned, or we try to run as fast as the attractive boy two treadmills over when on all honesty, we really should be slowing down. WE HAVE TO STOP DOING THIS. The only person you should be competing with at the gym is yourself! This is especially important to remember when trying yoga. It is essential that everyone goes at their own pace and learns the basics such as proper breathing and how to maintain balance before attempting more ambitious stretches!
Pay attention to your body: Yoga isn’t supposed to hurt. If you ever feel discomfort or dizziness, stop. Give your body time to get acquainted with the practice and never put yourself in a class or pose that makes you uncomfortable. Practicing yoga is a personal journey; it requires patience and awareness of your body in order to make progress over a period of time. If you get discouraged make sure to keep the faith! It just takes time!