More and more people have started to realise that yoga is extremely beneficial for both their mental and physical health. Contrary to popular belief, this practice isn’t a religion; it’s an improved way of living that allows people to achieve a better lifestyle and to feel complete. According to the yogis, the ultimate goal of yoga is to help normal people to attain enlightenment and discover who they really are.
There are a range of different styles or forms of the practice, including Hatha, Iyengar and Bikram yoga. This last option has become an incredibly popular version of hot yoga in recent years. It’s a system of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises that allow you reduce your level of stress and tension in less than 90 minutes.
What to expect when you try yoga for beginners
Today, there are so many different styles of this practice that anybody can take it up. All you need to get are the right tools, including yoga mats. It’s also important to wear comfortable clothing that won’t restrict your movement. Most yoga pants and tops are made from flexible fabrics that give you the freedom to stretch and twist. All of these can be purchased from popular South African retailers such as Totalsports.
Once you get started, there are many unique benefits that you’ll notice. Our top 4 are:
- Mindful eating: This age old practice doesn’t just have an impact on the way you eat; it can completely change your perspective on food. You’ll often find that your cravings change to healthier options as you get rid of the toxins in your body through the different poses. This is why many people actually do yoga for weight loss.
- Confidence: It’s incredibly important to have confidence in yourself and not need to seek validation from others. Being able to accomplish difficult yoga poses or even just seeing yourself progress to new levels of fitness leaves most practitioners with a strong sense of achievement. You’ll also notice that your posture and body image improves, allowing you to walk and stand taller.
- Strength: This practice isn’t just about balance, flexibility and posture. It’s also about giving your muscles strength. Yoga has an impact on surface muscles, as well as those that lie deep within your body, making your entire core stronger. This means that you’ll be less likely to injure yourself when doing other sports and activities.
- Improved relationships: This is probably the ultimate and most important benefit of this ancient practice. When you combine an improved self image with confidence, you’ll easily see that you’re able to interact better with your peers, colleagues, family and loved ones.
Yoga is one of the most widespread practices today and it’s clear to see that it provides you with considerably more advantages than just a healthy body.
Totalsports is one of the top sporting equipment and apparel chains in South Africa. It’s well-known for stocking high-quality gear from leading international and local brands. Each branch also has experts on hand to assist with any sports equipment queries. Visit wwww.totalsports.co.za for more info.