Written By Kristin L. Gilbert
Yoga has a fast-growing following and there are as many possible explanations for that as there are asanas within the Yoga practice. Most people would contend that the most important reason why Yoga seems to be growing in popularity, (especially in its newest market; the Western World) is due to its astonishing and well-recorded effects on stress relief and relaxation. While many people think Yoga is nothing more than a strange and foreign concept, left only up to “Indian rubber men” (Hewitt 167), those daring enough to attempt the practice have found far-reaching rewards of the mental, spiritual and physical kind. I will discuss these benefits in depth in the following essay divided into three sub-categories: I. Spiritual Health, II. Mental Health, and finally, III. Physical Health Benefits of Yoga.
I. Spiritual Health Benefits of Yoga—Seeking Inner Peace on a Turbulent Earth
The spiritual health benefits are, for some, either the most powerful, or, the least noticeable effects felt with consistent practice. Because Yoga in itself is not a religion, not all Yogis choose to explore a spiritual path with their practice, but those who do can look forward to many worthy benefits. Regardless of whether one specifically seeks spirituality through yoga or not, all yogis seek the same greater whole, the unity within the self, or that “Oneness” as the ultimate goal. This sought connectedness within itself is a form of spirituality: a connection of all parts of self with the whole earth that surrounds us in happy symbiosis, a connection, a blending and a cooperation that can be described as nothing less than peace.
This promotion of tranquility or purification is similar to many religious practice’s goals. James Hewitt describes it as “Absolute, Brahman, God, Reality, Ultimate Reality, Cosmic Mind, Cosmic Consciousness, Universal Sprit, Over-Soul, Over-self, Void, Buddha Nature, It, That – to name but a few” (The Complete Yoga Book, p. 371) and Swami Vishnu-devananda explains that, “as long as one’s wandering mind moves externally toward objects, one cannot come face to face with truth or God,” (The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga, p. 4). Therefore, the most spiritual of benefits received from regular Yoga practice is that quieting of the mind which allows the yogi to feel peace and come to a still point of contemplation within the Self, to take an objective stance on the events around them…and then to let go of all unnecessary, superfluous thought. It allows the yogi to release control over what one cannot rationally take control of (death, circumstance, the meaning of life, life after death) and leave it to the powers that be. This sort of blind trust is the sort of material a religious foundation is built upon.
No, Yoga is not a religion, but Yogic practices can certainly pave the path toward spiritual understanding, and for some fortunate souls, spiritual enlightenment. Vishnu-devananda simplifies the theory stating, “the science of Yoga gives a practical and scientifically prepared method of finding truth in religion” (p. 5). Perhaps the most valuable, spiritual practice which Yogis will experience is that this type of truth, this spirituality, is not the form which requires convincing, preaching or converting. It is a quiet journey, as yoga is a quiet practice. Slowly, but steadily, quieting the questions, quieting the mind and making the way for very private, transcendental spiritual experiences, opening us to intuition and allowing for deeper understanding of our Selves and the universe surrounding us. In short, Yoga provides the means for finding Oneness.
II. Mental Health Benefits of Yoga—Proving it is Mind Over Matter, After all
The mental and spiritual health benefits of yoga blend together quite nicely. The Unity sought though the practice of Yoga allows for spiritual clarity, as does it facilitate mental and psychological strength and centering. A person with mental clarity will be more at ease, make decisions with confidence, know themselves, experience less anxiety, feel more relaxed and happier, and overall, feel confidence and strength from the inside out.
The practice of meditation is perhaps the most important aspect when discussing the mental health benefits of Yoga. Hewitt mentions that Yoga has a “supreme goal of intuitive enlightenment” (p. 371) which in itself could be said to be a superior form of mental health. He also describes the act of meditation quite simply and accurately as “mental hygiene”. In an ever-growing world where things move faster by the day and one can barely keep up with the latest crazes, gadgets and gimmicks, it is more important than ever that we are able to clear out the mental clutter that gathers day by day. Yoga gives us one tool for shoveling out such mental clutter. In fact, perhaps the most popular calling for those entering newly into the Yoga practice is their search for the oft-described ability of Yogic meditation to “cleanse the mind, refine and clarify consciousness, lighten the spirit, and foster mental poise and equanimity” (Hewitt, 372). Everyone in the crazy-paced world wants a little piece of mental peace and quiet. Yoga offers this to everyone; no matter how hectic their schedule! Yoga meditations may even be adjusted and catered to specific mental “issues” focusing on the various chakras and where an individual needs more or less opening.
Meditation is not the only route toward mental health and stress relief. Reduction of stress is probably the number one reason why people in modern society are flocking toward Yoga practice. Timothy McCall M.D. says that stress can “make life less enjoyable and contribute to such bothersome symptoms as headaches, insomnia, and back pain, but it’s [also] linked to many of society’s killers, including osteoporosis and heart attacks.” McCall goes on further to describe stress as “endemic in our society” (yogajournal.com). So what is Yoga doing to lessen the effects of this endemic felt by so many people today? Well, aside from the aforementioned benefits of meditation, the practice of Pranayama is yet another aid for brighter and better mental health. Appropriate supply of oxygen to the system strengthens the nervous system and brain and gives the yogi something to focus on other than daily stress creators. Simply lengthening and focusing on each exhale and inhale can almost instantly create a calming effect.
A large variety of Yoga asanas also assist in the calming of the mind. Physical activity alone is known to reduce a number of stress hormones and release those happy “feel good” hormones, but in Yoga we see an added punch: it is actually relaxing to perform the postures! Child’s Pose and Shivasana or Corpse Pose are perhaps two of the most well-known and most relaxing poses of the Yoga practice. Both serve to calm the brain, relieve stress and mild depression, relax the body, reduce fatigue, headache and insomnia, and even lower blood pressure while also relieving back and neck pain. All of these benefits from sitting still and calm for a few minutes—but perhaps the only few minutes a day for sitting still to some students of yoga!
Swami Vishnu-devananda discusses what is known as the “autosuggestion,” or the body’s ability to relax its own muscles and internal organs. The restorative postures of yoga, such as Child’s Pose or Corpse Pose, pave the way for the autosuggestion to begin and the body is given the green light to begin its’ own natural healing and restorative process; filtering out the unnecessary clutter from the day and leaving the Yogi with a feeling of mental and emotional clarity.
III. Physical Benefits of Yoga—Strength from the Inside, Out
The physical benefits of Yoga are undeniable, however, seemingly less sought after as a primary motivator for the practice. While most Yogis begin their practice initially seeking spiritual or mental clarity, stress relief or simply out of curiosity about the yoga “craze”, it is often not long before one is able to see the physical effects which come with regular yoga practice.
The range of the physical effects felt from regular Yoga practice is astonishing. Swami Vishnu-devananda explains how it “acts as a lubrication system to the joints, muscles, ligaments, [and] tendons…by increasing circulation and flexibility” (preface xi). The focus on the spine within yoga leads to improved posture and freedom from aches and pains. It also encourages a healthier nervous system and therefore, brain—this all results in the promotion of a more youthful (looking and feeling) total being. Overall, “Yoga exercise can be compared to no other system for its complete overhauling of the entire being” (xi). Yoga works in the promotion of physical health from the inside out, increasing circulation, stimulating the nervous system, strengthening muscles and promoting flexibility; it is a complete physical health package.
The Pranayama, or breathing exercises of Yoga jumpstart many beneficial reactions within the body. In Pranayama, the breath “increases vital capacity, energizes, exercise the lungs and the respiratory muscles, oxygenates and purifies the bloodstream, removes phlegm, cleanses the nervous system, improves thoracic mobility and broadens the chest, improves digestion, massages the abdominal viscera, and calms and concentrates the mind” (Hewitt, p. 109). As if these benefits were not vast enough, breathing practice also helps establish the healthiest natural breathing patterns over time and trains for breath efficiency, along with assisting in the gathering of the life force, prana. It is also said that pranayama awakens the coiled kundalini within us.
As with pranayama, the Yoga asanas, or physical poses, offer an extensive variety of physical benefits. The most obvious and most sought after is improved flexibility, but this improvement does not come unaccompanied. Utilizing a system of slow, steady and gradual movements, the Yogic system cause the heart to beat more strongly due to activation of muscles. This causes in increase in circulation and therefore, oxygen to the entire body system. This increases body temperature, allowing the muscles to be stretched and “a stretched muscle can…perform more work than one only normally relaxed” (Vishnu-devananda, 50). This allows the slow and steady practice of Yoga to, yes, actually build muscle! However, the muscle tissue produced is of the strong, long and lean type, not the large and bulky type seen through activities such as body building. Held postures strengthen and lubricate joints improving flexibility, mobility and coordination and improving ligamentous and cartilage stiffness. Improved blood flow and flexibility of the spine aids in healthy nervous system function, improved flexibility, resiliency, better balance and coordination and ensures proper curvature of the spine. The endocrine system is also greatly affected. The variety of glands affected aid in healthy growth, emotions, metabolism, anabolic and catabolic processes, mental and sexual maturity and weight. And who could look over the fact that Yoga has been credited with contributing to a youthful glow and demeanor amongst its followers?
In conclusion, the health benefits of Yoga are endless and the list shows no signs of stopping. Every Yogi would describe a variety of benefits received depending on their level, desired results and own personal body. While some focus on the mental and emotional escape and stress relief, others look for the desired flexibility and lean strengthening of the physical effects. Still others may turn to the Yoga of meditation for a spiritual experience. And many use the health benefits in a combined goal of overall spiritual, mental and physical health. It is not surprising that the Yogic practice gains more followers by the day. The world has today its largest population of Yogis ever, and those numbers are only bound to grow—this fact alone can attest to the healthful benefits felt by all of those who have fallen in love with this amazing practice. To continued health and lifelong practice, Namasté.
Sources
Hewitt, James. The Complete Yoga Book. Schocken Books; New York, New York, 1977.
Kaminoff, Leslie. Yoga Anatomy. Human Kinetics; USA, 2007.
McCall, Timothy M.D. “Yoga for Stress and Burnout,” www.yogajournal.com. Cruz Bay Publishing, Inc.
an Active Interest Media company; 2007.
Vishnu-devananda, Swami. The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga.
www.yogabasics.com, “Yoga Postures,” Timothy Burgin and Yogabasics.com; 2007.
Kristin L. Gilbert is a 25-year-old “retired” high school Spanish teacher from Maine. She is a massage therapist / Reiki practitioner / Yoga teacher and enthusiast and also an aspiring meditation teacher. Kristin will be making a move in July 2008 to Costa Rica in order to open her own massage and yoga studio (and continue working on her surf skills). The Caribbean beaches of Costa Rica are her favorite spot in the world for Yoga practice and for finding inner peace. She studied massage under Donna Kraft Smith LMT of Guilford, Maine, was attuned to Reiki with Master Teacher Liza Bishop of Bangor, Maine and completed her Yoga Teacher Training studies through Aura Wellness Center with Paul Jerard in Attleboro, Massachusetts.
Kristin finds Yoga to be a perfect fit for her life with its mental, physical and spiritual rewards and looks forward to a lifelong practice and being able to share her love of Yoga with others.
