The benefits of yoga

Yoga is a great way to connect with your body and mind. The word ‘yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Yuj’, which means ‘connection’. Yoga is not only a philosophy but also a way of life. When you are practicing yoga, it is about connecting and balancing all layers of our existence that seem to be opposite (tension and relaxation, outside and inside, body and mind, etc.). This will eventually lead us to a natural state of being, in which life can be experienced in its wholeness.

Different types of yoga

These days, yoga has become increasingly popular. For many people, yoga provides an escape from our busy society and hectic lives. Yoga has a different meaning for everyone. Some will practice it for stress relief, where others practice it for better cardiovascular health or to reach a stronger connection with their body. There are many different types of yoga. The most popular one is Hatha yoga, which is a more physical type of yoga. The Hatha yoga focuses on pranayamas (controlled breathing exercises), followed by different yoga poses. In fact, the breathing exercises of the Wim Hof Method are inspired by and similar to the ancient pranayama breathing.

Build up your strength, balance, and flexibility

The yoga poses with slow movements and deep breathing exercises increase the blood flow in your body and warm up your muscles. This means that when you are holding a yoga pose, you build strength and you make your muscles more flexible. Because of that, the relaxation techniques of the yoga exercises can reduce chronic pain. For example, yoga can lessen arthritis soreness, lower back pain, headaches, but it also lowers your blood pressure and reduces insomnia. When you are practicing yoga, you will feel more energized and vital in your daily life.

Improve your mind-body connection

Besides all of the physical benefits, yoga also has a lot of mental benefits. Everyone experiences stress, some to a lesser degree than others, but every type of stress has a devastating effect on both your mind and body. Stress manifests in many ways, such as back pain, sleeping problems, headaches, and an inability to concentrate. Yoga will help you to manage this stress. Practicing yoga regularly is very effective, as it improves your mind-body connection and creates a more positive outlook on life. Therefore, incorporating meditation and yoga in your life can improve your mental well-being.

Yoga and the Wim Hof Method

Your breathing is a very important element during yoga, but it might also be very challenging. When you do not breathe in the right way, you feel mentally and physically drained after your practice. The breathing exercises of the Wim Hof Method help you to find your breath. With the WHM, you improve your breathing, which you can also use during your yoga exercises. The breathing exercises help you to get the maximum benefit from the yoga practice. Start practicing today and experience all the benefits of the Wim Hof Method within just weeks!