With the end of the semester upon us I am capital stressed out. *Insert crying while smiling emoji here.* One habit that I have kept up since high school was the practice of yoga. For centuries Hindu’s used yoga to find peace within themselves and become one with God. They used yoga to help meditate and focus only on the here and now. The past is unchangeable. The future is left to be seen.
I have, for the last few years been trying to channel this inner calm that has been practiced for centuries when things get hectic during the semester. Practicing yoga is not only mentally beneficial, but it also has physical benefits as well.
1. Boosts your energy.
Practicing yoga will ultimately help you feel more energized. Something about all of that blood rushing to your head that makes you feel as though you can tackle anything that life throws at you. Personally, when I do yoga in the mornings, the rest of the day I am energized and ready to micromanage everything that comes along with being a college student.
2. Helps circulation.
Speaking of all of the blood rushing to your head, yoga also helps your circulation or blood flow. Something I learned young is that if you want your body to be good to you, you need to be good to it. By practicing yoga, you give your body a thank you for putting up with all different kinds of stress that one experiences throughout life.
3. Releases stress.
Yes, yoga does in fact release stress. While doing an exercise it is important to breathe the right way, to help with your oxygen infiltration. But it is especially important while you practice yoga. When you systematically inhale and exhale your body becomes relaxed and you are one step closer to finding peace within yourself- or find peace during the chaos during the semester.
4. Maintains your equilibrium.
Different yoga positions require different levels of flexibility. It is not easy to get your body to stay flexed with all kinds of angels. But once you master certain positions, you prove to yourself you can do anything you set your mind to. You feel as though you are on top of the world and you can nail all of those exams and other assignments!
5. Discipline and self-control.
Discipline and self-control are two more qualities that will be gained through the art of yoga. It takes a lot of discipline to be able to not give up before a session is over. To really master any position in yoga, you must pace yourself. Your mind must be calm in order to take control of each yoga stretch. These are good qualities to take with you outside of each yoga session as well.
6. Patience.
Finally, patience is the key to any successful yoga session and a good quality to have if you want to get through the semester half sane. Nothing is going to happen instantaneously. This is also where discipline and self-control comes into play. You have to stay dedicated to the practice and find patience to succeed. Otherwise your mind and body will become stressed, and it becomes a counterproductive activity.
My soul honors your soul. I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides. I honor the light, love, truth, beauty and peace within you. Because it is also within me. In sharing these things we are united. We are the same. We are one. Namaste.
