Body & Mind Transformation Through Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga yoga is a type of yoga that is designed to build strength and flexibility. It's also often used for both physical and mental health, as well as to build body resilience against injuries.
The Ashtanga method was developed by K. Pattabhi Jois, who studied with T Krishnamacharya—a yogi who had studied under Sri Ramamohan Brahmachari and is considered the founder of modern yoga.
In this article, we'll look at how the practice of Ashtanga can lead to physical changes in your body including increased strength and flexibility. However, it also requires time and patience for results.
Improved Brain Function
Ashtanga yoga is an incredible way to improve your brain power. The practice of asana (postures) improves concentration and focus, while pranayama (breathing exercises) increases oxygen flow to the brain.
This helps you make better decisions, recall memories more easily, and have a clearer sense of self-awareness. Ashtanga has also been shown to reduce depression symptoms by up to 39 percent and stress levels by 27 percent in just eight weeks.
Ashtanga Yoga Improves Coordination
The ability to combine sensory information with movement is coordination. Ashtanga Yoga improves coordination by combining sensory information with movement. This is important for sports, dance, and other activities that require swift, coordinated actions.
Ashtanga Yoga builds the muscles in your feet and hands while also strengthening your core so that they can compensate when needed during difficult poses like inversions (handstands) or back bends (backbends).
These movements help to develop balance and stability as well as improve flexibility in the joints of the body. When these things are combined with a regular practice of breath work, meditation, and correct alignment during each posture it becomes easier to find balance in any given pose.
Ashtanga Yoga will Strengthen your Bones and Joints
Ashtanga yoga is an excellent way to keep your bones and joints healthy. By strengthening the muscles in your arms and legs, Ashtanga helps prevent osteoporosis by building bone density. Regularly practising asanas will also improve balance, which can reduce the risk of falling.
This practice also involves a series of standing postures that strengthen muscles in the legs and core as well as improve circulation throughout the body. This helps to create more balance while increasing overall health.
Improves Blood Circulation
Your body has several systems to keep it functioning properly. One of these is the circulatory system, which nourishes your organs, tissues, and cells with oxygen-rich blood.
Ashtanga yoga is great for your blood circulation. Improved blood circulation helps you process oxygen, nutrients, and waste products faster, which will help you heal faster from injuries.
It also improves skin tone and makes you feel more energetic. Improved blood circulation will also help improve the quality of your sleep at night—making it an ideal practice for people who suffer from insomnia or sleep disorders like apnea or restless leg syndrome due to poor circulation in their legs or feet (which can be caused by sitting still all day long).
Increased Energy Levels
The first thing you’ll notice about Ashtanga yoga is the way it improves your breathing. Breathing is something most of us take for granted, but it’s actually quite important. The way we breathe affects our mental and physical health in many ways, including our energy levels.
Ashtanga yoga helps the body to relax and breathe deeply by slowing down the breath rate while inhaling and exhaling. This can reduce stress levels, improve the clarity of mind and even help with depression or anxiety issues.
Ashtanga Yoga Affects Emotional Health
In addition to improving the way you breathe and reducing stress, Ashtanga yoga can help with depression and anxiety. One study found that practising yoga regularly has the same effect on mental health as taking antidepressants.
It might be because Ashtanga yoga increases endorphins (the chemicals in your brain associated with feeling good) while also reducing cortisol levels (the stress-related hormone).
The result is an improved mood, which can lead to better sleep quality—a major factor when it comes to how rested a person feels throughout the day.
Ashtanga yoga can also lead to emotional health benefits by increasing self-control, self-awareness, and improvements in self-esteem due to increased confidence from practicing regularly.
Ashtanga yoga is great for anyone who wants to improve their flexibility, balance, or strength while also increasing their mental focus. It’s also a great way for beginners to get started with yoga.
