International Day of Yoga
posted: Jun. 17, 2021.
The United Nations began recognizing the International Day of Yoga in 2015 as a result of both the physical and mental health benefits of the practice. Because it is a physical activity which also emphasizes breathing and meditation practices, it can improve not just the body’s function, but the function of the brain.
Benefits of yoga include:
- Reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression
- Improved memory, awareness, attention, thought and language skills
- Improved mood resulting from lower stress hormones and increased endorphins
- And counteracting age-related declines in memory and cognition
As the recent pandemic spread around the globe, yoga played an important role in helping to manage the fear and anxiety brought on by the isolation experienced during quarantine. Additionally, yoga has been used in the rehabilitation of COVID-19 patients as a way to rebuild their physical strength and increase mindfulness about their breathing.
Yoga can be practiced by all ages and adapted as needed for each individual’s physical ability. It can be practiced individually or in groups, indoors and outside. Minimal, if any, equipment is needed, so it makes it the perfect tool to use any time you want to be active and destress.
References