What can yoga and mindfulness do for you?

Many people falsely believe that yoga is just a type of physical exercise and the goal is a toned fit body. The truth is, yoga pose or asana is just one small part of a much bigger practice that is yoga. A physically fit body, is always nice but with yoga it’s only a pleasant side affect. The ultimate goal of yoga is awareness, self-regulation and higher consciousness. It is for these reasons that yoga goes hand in hand with mindfulness practice.

Mindfulness has become very popular in recent years. Most are aware that mindfulness is all about living in the moment but, what they may not realize is this doesn’t only mean physically but also mentally. Learning how to be present mentally is a practice that once came easy to us but is a skill we lose over time. Relearning this skill has been scientifically proven to relieve stress, anxiety, depression, and all types of addictions.

According to Dr. Martin in Psychotherapy Theory Research Practice Training, “Mindfulness can simply be defined as “moment-by-moment awareness” or as “a state of psychological freedom that occurs when attention remains quiet and limber, without attachment to any particular point of view.”

· This is especially important, as mindfulness therapy has the capacity to reduce depression and anxiety as well as focus on effective emotional regulation.

·  According to Dr. Moore, “Mindfulness meditation practice and self-reported mindfulness were correlated directly with cognitive flexibility and attentional functioning. Mindfulness meditation practice may help individuals disengage from emotionally upsetting stimuli, enabling attention to be focused on the cognitive task at hand.”

· With increased energy and focus enhancement, you have an increased ability to identify and manage distractions, decrease psychological distress, and improved sense of well-being.

· Research implies that due to increased attentional skills, people who practice mindfulness meditation may have an increased ability to be present to their customer/co-workers

· Dr. Martin noted, “There are a number of important cognitive abilities involved in mindfulness, including being able to focus your attention for a period of time (sustained attention), being able to shift your thoughts and attention in spite of the distractions around you (cognitive flexibility), as well as suppressing other thoughts that interfere with your focus (cognitive inhibition).”

In a Harvard study, “Mindfulness improves well-being. Increasing your capacity for mindfulness supports many attitudes that contribute to a satisfied life. Being mindful makes it easier to savor the pleasures in life as they occur, helps you become fully engaged in activities, and creates a greater capacity to deal with adverse events. By focusing on the here and now, many people who practice mindfulness find that they are less likely to get caught up in worries about the future or regrets over the past, are less preoccupied with concerns about success and self-esteem, and are better able to form deep connections with others.”

There are numerous health benefits that have been cited by both Harvard University and Stanford University including:

·         Mindfulness improves physical health.

·         Relieves low blood pressure.

·         Decreases chronic pain and gut difficulties.

·         Improve sleep and sleep duration.

·         Alleviates anxiety and depression.

·         Improves eating disorder and digestion issues.

·         Treatment of overeating disorder.