Yoga For a Stress-Free Life

What is Yoga?

Yoga is one of the six traditional systems of Indian philosophy, which was compiled, coordinated, and systematized by Maharishi Patanjali in his classical work ‘The Yoga Sutras.’ The text consists of 185 aphorisms, offering guidance on philosophy and practice of yoga.

Derived from Sanskrit, the word “yoga” means “to join” or “to unite,” signifying the integration of the body and the mind.

Yoga is a practice that harmonizes body, mind, and spirit. It includes physical poses, breathing techniques and meditation, leading to a healthier life.

Yoga helps calm your mind and body, reducing stress and bringing a sense of peace.

What is Stress?

Individuals face stress on an on-going basis. It can be seen as a collection of tendencies and physiological responses to circumstances that we consider to be stressful. We often experience stress when demands outweigh our capacity. It is important to recognize our stressors and identify ways that help us to deal with them effectively and in healthy ways.

Stress is simply a state of mental or physical strain, resulting from any situation or thought that triggers feelings of frustration, apprehension, or unease.

How yoga helps to relieve us from stress?

There are several strategies for managing stress and maintaining composure. We can relieve stress and regain control by practicing relaxation, mindful breathing, and meditation. Our ability to manage stress is further enhanced by regular exercise and a balanced diet.

Research conducted by the American Council on Exercises (ACE) has shown that yoga is a powerful technique which could mitigate the negative effects of stress and promote overall well- being.

Wait, yoga to reduce stress? Why not?

Psychology Today states that more than 85% of people who incorporated yoga into their day to day lives agreed that it helped them to counter stress. They also reported that they were happier, more energetic and focused on their work.

Yoga for kids to reduce stress.

Regular and dedicated practice of yoga can change the perspective of the practitioner fostering a journey of self-improvement. They develop discipline in their eating habits, personal hygiene, and character, emerging as a transformed individual.

Yoga is extremely beneficial for kids. It provides a holistic approach to children’s physical, emotional and mental well- being, paving the way for a happy, healthy, and successful life.

Yoga benefits kids in many ways-

• Yoga helps children to build strong and healthy bodies.
• Yoga helps to develop flexibility and balance skills, thereby reducing the chances of injury and enhance their overall physical well- being.
• Yoga offers kids a fun and safe way to manage stress and calm their minds and emotions.

Some of the best yoga poses for kids for boosting confidence are-

• Warrior pose (Veer Bhadra asana)
• Tree pose (Vrikshasana)
• Chair pose (Utkatasana)
• Mountain pose (Adhomukhasvanasana)
• Bridge pose (Sethu bandh asana)

The following yoga poses are ideal for children to relax their mind and body-

•  Child pose
•  Happy baby pose
•  Thread the needle pose
•  Cat cow pose
• Reclined twist pose
• Leg up the wall pose
• Corpse pose

International Day of Yoga

Acknowledging the global appeal of Yoga, the United Nations declared June 21st, as the International Day of Yoga on December 11, 2014.

Every year on June 21st, International Day of Yoga is celebrated worldwide to promote the ancient practice of Yoga and inspire individuals to adopt it as a holistic lifestyle.

The International Day of Yoga seeks to increase awareness of the various advantages of yoga practice on a global scale.

Yoga offers a profound path to overall well-being, encompassing physical fitness, stress reduction, and inner peace. With over three hundred million global practitioners, Yoga has come to have a universal appeal transforming lives through its numerous benefits and fostering a culture of wellness.

This guest article is contributed by:
Ms. Kavita Sharma, Certified Yoga teacher