Are you a beginner in performing Yoga? Do you wish to know wish type of Yoga is the most beneficial to solve your issues and problems? Well, we have got you covered.
Ashtanga Yoga is considered to be the most physically challenging type and carries a long sequence of postures with a vinyasa in between each posture. It requires great strength and stamina in order to become a master of Ashtanga Yoga.
There are several health benefits of Ashtanga. In this blog, you will read about at least 14 benefits of performing Ashtanga Yoga on a regular basis.
Top 14 Benefits of Ashtanga Yoga
Here is a list of advantages for your body and mind cause by performing Ashtanga Yoga.
Increases Flexibility
As with most forms of yoga, Ashtanga will gradually improve your flexibility over time. While listening to your body and moving slowly is important, studies prove that flexibility improved after a few weeks of training. Can’t touch your toes? Ashtanga Yoga and we bet you can do it in just a month if you work steadily and consciously.
Improves Coordination
Ashtanga Yoga is a powerful tool for adjusting the body. It helps in improving concentration, balance and coordination. A fast and intensive asana set gives you a better sense of rhythm and increases your awareness of movement and flow in your body.
Strength Enhancement
There are sixty vinyasas in the main series of Ashtanga yoga, creating a lot of strength in your core and increasing the overall strength of your body. For several poses you are putting all your body weight on your hands, while balancing on one leg which helps in toning your body while increasing your core and overall body strength.
Helps in Toning Muscles
All this increased strength is possible because you are building muscles throughout your body during these movements. Yoga does give you abs, it’s true! Once you begin doing it regularly, you can observe the difference in your arms, shoulders, abdomen as well as calves.
Emotional Stabilization
Asanas can not only affect your muscles and joints, but also your emotions by enabling cleansing. By practicing Ashtanga, you will find a balance between feelings and emotions. Emotion asanas will help you deal with emotionally difficult situations. It will help in processing and overcoming pain and suppressed emotions. When you balance your emotions, your organs and whole body will work more efficiently and you will see how strongly your body and mind are connected.
Cardiovascular Fitness
If you’ve ever made it through a full primary set, you’ll know how much you’re sweating in Ashtanga. Constant vinyasas between each pose helps in holding your heart rate throughout the workout. Because of the practice, not only do you build strength and flexibility, but you also train your cardiovascular system.
Reduces Back Pain
The Ashtanga Primary Series includes postures that stretch and strengthen the lower back muscles. And because the same postures are performed every time you step on the mat, keeping those muscles flexed (and strengthened) will help reduce lower back pain.
Controls Weight
Do you know the result of performing cardio as well as building muscles? You burn fat! Since you get committed to a daily Ashtanga practice, you will notice less fat on arms and around the stomach area, so if you want to shed a few pounds, then this is the style of yoga for you.
Reducing Mental Illness
Some people think that doing the same poses every day is too repetitive and they lose interest. In the memory sequence, you no longer have to focus so much on where to place your foot or hand, as awareness can shift to your breathing. This will make your practice more of a moving meditation and leave you feeling relaxed and stress free.
Spiritual Well-Being
Repeating the same poses in the exact order has its purpose, and the benefits aren’t just physical. Awaken your spiritual self. The first four limbs purify your exterior and teach you to interact with the world around you. The next four limbs focus on withdrawal, cleansing, and your relationship with your mind and help you work your way through challenges until you gain clarity in your mind and gain a better understanding of yourself. By practicing postures, focus points, and breathing, you will be able to explore the limitless nature of your inner self.
Improves Creativity & Focus
When you are feeling completely relaxed and calm, and not stressing over any personal or professional issues, you are able to fully enjoy the present moment. In this state you experience more creativity than ever before in your life. It does not matter if you are an artistic person, because creativity comes in the form of inspiration for new business ideas.
It almost sounds counter-intuitive that you are thinking about future business plans in the present moment. But it’s just that your head is rarely blank, so these ideas never have room to develop unless you make room for them!
Lowers Blood Pressure
In Ashtanga Yoga, we practice a breathing technique known as Ujjayi. The glottis in the back of the throat is pulled together slightly to create the sound of the ocean when you breathe in and out through your nose. Lengthen your inhalations and exhalations to create long, deep, calm breaths. Many studies suggest that this breathing technique lowers blood pressure over time.
Reduces Risk of Injuries
Ashtanga develops a strong, flexible, and much less injury-prone body in a safe and conscious way, which means it can be a great addition to other sports. As you age, your body becomes more prone to injury. And practicing yoga is a great way to stay fit and flexible so you can enjoy a better quality of life for longer.
Helps in Bone Formation
A 2015 randomized controlled study published in the Journal of Sports Science & Medicine found that eight months of practice of two sessions per week of Ashtanga-based yoga had a small positive effect on bone formation in women who are middle aged and premenopausal.
Hope this article helped you understand why including Ashtanga Yoga in your workout routine everyday is so beneficial and important. Try it out and let us know if Ashtanga helped you in any of the above-mentioned ways!
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