Yoga: The Perks of Being a Poser
Whilst many are familiar with yoga –a physical, mental, and spiritual practice originating from India –the Western world is only now opening its eyes to the potential health benefits associated with its practice.
Below is our pick of the top 10 reasons why yoga is a must-do for holiday-goers in ensuring the ultimate in rest and relaxation:
1. Aids lymphatic drainage and boosts your immune system
Effectively draining your lymphatic system is integral to fighting infection, destroying cancerous cells, and disposing of the toxic waste products of cellular functioning. Contracting and stretching muscles –core to yoga –is credited as increasing lymphatic drainage.
2. Drops your blood pressure
Two studies of people with hypertension, published in the British medical journal The Lancet, compared the effects of Shavasana (Corpse Pose) with simply lying on a couch. After three months, Shavasana was associated with a 26-point drop in systolic blood pressure (the top number) and a 15-point drop in diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number—and the higher the initial blood pressure, the bigger the drop.3
3.Makes you happier
Feeling a little blue? Studies have shown that consistent yoga practice can lead to an increase in serotonin, thus improving depression.
4.Relaxes your system
slowing one’s breath, and focusing on the present moment is central to the practice of yoga. Indeed, this results in the body’s energy moving from the sympathetic nervous system (the fight-or-flight response) to the parasympathetic nervous system, which is credited as being calming and restorative.
5. Releases tension in your limbs
Unbeknownst to many, our bodies are harbourers of tension: we scrunch our faces when staring at a computer screen, or clench our fists when driving, and we seldom realise that these little tensions can lead to increased stress and the worsening of our mood. Practising yoga teaches you to identify the source, and release the tension, thus enhancing mood and wellbeing.
6. Helps you sleep more deeply
The studies are unanimous: with yoga relieving the sympathetic nervous system, and releasing built-up tension, better sleep is inevitable.
7.Boosts your immune system functionality
Meditation has been scientifically shown to have a beneficial effect on a person’s immune system, boosting it when needed (for example, raising antibody levels in response to a vaccine) and lowering it when needed (for instance, mitigating an inappropriately aggressive immune function in an autoimmune disease like psoriasis).
8. Gives you peace of mind
Quelling the fluctuations of the mind is no easy feat, and yet yoga is praised for being able to slow down people’s thoughts due to its meditative qualities, filtering out frustration, anger, and fear.
9. Increases your self-esteem
Enhancing self-esteem certainly cannot be achieved in a day. However, those who engage in the regular practice of yoga –immersing themselves, moreover, in yogic philosophy –have reported an increased sense of self, and overall spiritual enrichment, allowing gratitude, empathy, and forgiveness to flourish in their lives.
10. Encourages self-care
Finally –and in a similar vein to the previous point –yoga is credited as teaching that it is what you do for yourself that matters: to enhance your health and well-being, you must become involved in your own care to discover that you do indeed harbour the power to effect change.
Intrigued as to what yoga could do for you? Visit us at Hébe Spa to take part in our weekly yoga lessons. Whether a novice or experienced in the art of yoga, all of our resident guests and spa members are welcome to join!
Kindly contact Hébe Spa reception at 25 833 765 or email vilmante@columbiaresort.com
Photo credit: Elemis.Hébe Spa works closely with Elemis in delivering world-class treatments, spanning facials, massages, and body therapies