written by Isabella Vines
Life can get really stressful, and sometimes it is out of our control. If you’re having trouble managing your stress, yoga may be something to consider. Yoga is an ancient practice used as a way of exercise and meditation. However, many of those practicing yoga are unaware of all the benefits doing yoga has to offer.
According to Women’sHealth magazine, there are 13 specific types of yoga. We will go over a few of these types to display the variety yoga offers and how it can possibly meet the potential needs essential for your fitness journey.
Hatha yoga, for example, is a type of yoga that focuses on balancing the nervous system through doing poses focusing on strength, flexibility, and relaxation.
Another type of yoga called Vinyasa, literally translating to “a flow,” focuses on energy flowing throughout the body through poses and dynamic style stretches. This type of yoga includes deep breathing which further supports reducing stress. According to the American Institute of Stress, deep breathing increases the supply of oxygen to your brain which stimulates the nervous system, promoting a state of calmness throughout the body.
Ashtanga yoga focuses on breathing as well as postures and Drishti, which translates to gaze. This combination of factors creates a dynamic practice that builds on our body’s internal heat.
Yin yoga consists of postures and stretches that focus on lengthening the muscles and joints, promoting mobility and overall flexibility throughout the body. This type of yoga is suggested to be the best practice before going to bed as it’s known to put the body at ease.
As mentioned previously, yoga is great for managing stress. According to the New York Times, yoga mainly reduces stress by regulating our nervous system, specifically through the autonomic nervous system. This part of the nervous system responds to stress and anxiety. Through yoga practices, yoga participants have learned ways to strengthen their ability to return to a state of calm after experiencing something stressful.
