The harmony of body and mind - Yoga as an all-rounder
Once developed in India as part of the Indian health discipline Ayurveda, yoga remained stuck in Western civilizations for a long time in a stereotypical drawer with 'slightly eccentric weirdos contorting themselves in strange ways'. Little by little, a shift in mindset occurred, and today it can be said that yoga has fully arrived in the Western world. There is hardly a gym that doesn't offer a yoga class. From professional athletes to relaxation seekers to sports-enthusiastic adventurers who simply want to try something new: yoga comes in many forms and styles, for pretty much everyone. From prenatal yoga to senior yoga to more unique forms like Hot Yoga or Air/Aerial Yoga. In principle, it doesn't matter whether you consider yourself athletic or flexible. You don't have to be at all, because yoga meets everyone right where they are – both physically and mentally. For some, it is just a sport, but for others, it is an entire lifestyle. So what exactly is the fascination with this active relaxation method?
The positive effects of yoga on body and mind
The fact is: Yoga is primarily about the interaction of body, soul, and mind. There are specific movement sequences (asanas) and breathing techniques (pranayamas). The goal is to bring both – movement and the corresponding inhalation and exhalation – into harmony. This has an immediate calming effect on our brain and our mind. The mind and body share a connection; Far Eastern teachers knew this a long time ago. If we calm the body, for example by performing slow movement sequences in harmony with our breath during Qigong or yoga, we consequently calm our mind as well. The whole thing can also be viewed the other way around: A calm mind also calms the body and its functions. In that moment, we focus only on our (properly executed) breath and the associated movement, which is usually demonstrated and performed alongside the group by a yoga instructor. Depending on the type of yoga, the original underlying philosophy is addressed more or less. Over the centuries and decades, there have repeatedly been mostly well-known Far Eastern teachers who invented and shaped a specific style of yoga. Their students then continued to practice and pass on this special style, so that this yoga style eventually arrived here in European/Western countries as well.
What all styles have in common is that the interaction between controlled breathing and focused movements helps to reduce stress and relax body and mind. These are some of the most common positive effects that can result from regular yoga practice (many of which, by the way, are scientifically proven in studies):
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Tension and blockages are released in the body
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Coordination, motor skills, and balance are trained and improved
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Increased ability to concentrate
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More mindfulness and emotional balance
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Flexibility and muscle tone improve
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Sleep quality is enhanced
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The immune system is generally strengthened
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Promotes inner peace and stress relief
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Can have a blood pressure-lowering effect
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Blood circulation throughout the body is improved, detoxified, and digestion is stimulated
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The heart and lungs can work more efficiently
Yoga is not all the same – the most popular yoga styles
Depending on whether you want to practice yoga primarily as a relaxation method or challenge yourself and your body a bit more, you can choose between sometimes very different yoga styles. I recommend simply trying out various yoga types that interest you. I actually do this regularly. Almost everywhere, you can contact the course's yoga instructor, and it is common for interested individuals to join one or more yoga sessions for free. This allows you to test whether this type of practice suits you and whether you find the group and the instructor likeable. Here are some of the most popular yoga styles offered in Germany:
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Hatha Yoga:
The classic among yoga types. The Sun Salutation and the Downward-Facing Dog, for example, are exercises in Hatha Yoga. In this style of yoga, various movements (asanas) are performed and combined with breathing. Traditionally, it is practiced with several repetitions, incorporating breathing exercises (pranayama) and short meditation sessions. I practice a special form of Hatha Yoga called Viniyoga. Here, special emphasis is placed on allowing everyone to perform the exercises in their own way, according to their ability. Nobody should be overwhelmed, and highly demanding backbends or spinal compressions (such as headstands) are not included. -
Vinyasa Yoga or Vinyasa Flow:
Here, the individual asanas are usually connected with fluid transitions, practiced in a "flow". There are no long breaks in between, making this form significantly more strenuous than classic Hatha Yoga. -
Ashtanga Yoga:
This is also one of the physically more demanding and dynamic styles. There is a fixed sequence of asanas that are practiced repeatedly. A further development of this is likely Power Yoga. Ashtanga is also one of the foundations of Iyengar Yoga, where props such as blocks and straps help perform and hold the various asanas. -
Yin Yoga: a very calm and gentle yoga style. You perform most exercises while sitting or lying down.
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Kundalini Yoga:
This style of yoga is more spiritually and traditionally rooted. The instructor wears white clothing, and the goal of the exercises is to awaken your power center and your spiritual energy (Kundalini). So if you also want to work on your consciousness and inner blockages, this style might be right for you. -
Bikram Yoga:
It is sometimes also offered under the term Hot Yoga. This form is very special, as all exercises are performed in a heated room with temperatures around 38 to 40 degrees. Sweating is expressly encouraged here. -
Aerial Yoga:
In this rather modern and athletic form, a large, long fabric silk suspended from the ceiling above you plays the main role. Asanas from various styles are performed using the sling as a support, allowing you to float freely in the air during some exercises.
Why yoga and sports are a good combination
The days of claiming that only mothers and esoterics mainly practice yoga are long gone. The fact is that even in the national soccer team and various other sports, yoga is used as a very effective tool to strengthen the ability to concentrate and mental strength of the athlete or competitor. Because the calming movement sequences not only strengthen and stretch muscles, tendons, fascia, and joints, but above all calm the mind. This particularly benefits elite athletes right before a competition. For (marathon) runners, yoga can be used to improve flexibility, coordination, muscle strength, and posture. Breathing is trained and deepened, and the core is stabilized and conditioned. All of this leads athletes today to enjoy incorporating supportive yoga elements into their training.
If you're curious now, feel free to learn more about the yoga styles that suit you and contact an instructor to try out one or two trial sessions. For me, it has become an indispensable part of my daily life and a great balance to work. I wish you lots of fun, great relaxation, and Namasté!
