Why Does Yoga make you feel uplifted?

Why does Yoga make you feel uplifted?

The answer is because Yoga is not a workout. Workouts make us feel great, no doubt about that, but Yoga falls into another department.

Yoga can be a vigorous physical practice if you focus only on the physical component of the equation. However, there is more to Yoga than body movement.

When I started practicing Yoga, I got hooked because of the physical changes it brought to my body.

I started practicing the traditional Ashtanga style, which is pretty vigorous and demanding on the body. I loved the stamina, the sweat, and the concentration it brings with consistent practice.

But, at the same time, I was drawn to more "advanced" aspects of the practice. And, here is the point where substantial transformation begins. I just wanted to let you know that more on that coming up.

The physical aspect of Yoga is the postures, called Asanas in Sanskrit. If practiced according to lineage, the target of these postures is the mind and your energy body.

Not everybody subscribes to energy work, so I'll stick to the realm of the body-mind connection. However, I leave some food for thought regarding energy before I proceed.

"Energy is useless if you can't direct it where you want it to go."

*Note that energy here isn't only physical energy. It is mental energy we all need to get things done. It is the mental drive to achieve goals and create desired results.

"To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders."

• Lao Tzu

Mental Health- A pandemic?

Anxiety, depressive disorder, trauma-related symptoms, and psychosomatic disorders (conflict between mind and body) are just some manifestations of mental disturbances.

The "advanced" piece of Yoga I mentioned as transformational is the shift within our consciousness.

Consciousness is the quality of being aware of your internal state. You develop an awareness of your inner dialogue, conflicts, emotions, and projections.

Have you ever felt offended by someone's experiences or a simple comment?

You might be projecting. Most likely, it is all in your head and causes you to suffer.?

I know. I've been there many times.

The practice of the postures and its body locks, the breathwork, the concentration, and chanting leads you to dig deep into your inner world, acknowledge it, and integrate it.

INTEGRATE ALL THAT IS PART OF YOU.

Do you need to practice all of these to reap the benefits of Yoga? I say no, you don't. But I argue it is worth the journey.

Inner world - Inner power

Shifting attention to our inner world is the power to make coherent changes in our lives. Yoga makes us feel uplifted because it brings changes not only to the physical body. But, the game changer is the shift in our outlook toward life.

Once upon a time, I thought I had the "dream life." I had a well-paying job with free accommodation and transportation, about eighty stamps on my passport, layovers in 5-star hotels, and living in a city that literally shines like gold.

None of that was enough to prevent my internal conflicts. All my drive was toward the external and how to keep all I thought was myself.

Yoga as a holistic practice (body, mind, energy) shifts paradigms when practiced with intention.

What do you mean by intention?

If you practice for physical strength and suppleness, that is what you get. If you want to practice meditation to chill your mind, that is what you get.

If you go further into it with love and a devotional quality to the practice, you merge with it. You'll see yourself and the world as they are. You'll become proficient in the most important project of your life - yourself and your expansion.

Holistic tips if you are new to the practice:

• There are many options in Yoga. Choose the style that fits you best. You can always mix styles depending on your energy level.
• Don't be overwhelmed by Yoga on social media. That is posing for a photograph to look aesthetically pleasing. Your practice will go beyond that.
• Use Yogic breathing regulation exercises to start your day. They are an effective way to dissolve stored tension.
• Practice in a local studio if you can. It will be your community and a temple where you leave your worries outside.
• Use a journal to record how you feel. You'll notice significant changes in your mood and energy levels.
• Practice with intention. Always.

Sankalpa- Tapping into an intention

Your Sankalpa is your vow and commitment. Intentional vows may be the secret flavor to uplift your life experience. It is a step further in transformation and taking the driver's seat of your life.

Commit to yourself zealously with detachment and allow Yoga to give its fruits. Your strong Sankalpa will lead to a life of mental clarity and dissipate unnecessary self-created suffering.

Yoga is a practice for life. It is the practice of the relationship between ourselves and others. It is the practice of learning to live fully in alignment with the Divine order. It is the practice of forgiveness. Surrender. Unlimited love.

Hi there. I'm Gracy, an Ashtanga Vinyasa teacher, and practitioner based in South Goa, India.

I'm dedicated to empowering others using Yoga and Eastern Bodywork to overcome psychosomatic disorders.

After years of stress and burnout in the aviation industry, I decided to quit.

I lived in Southeast Asia and India, studying Traditional Thai Bodywork and Yoga. I'm currently pursuing my interests in Jungian psychoanalytic work, dream work, and symbolism.

I organize and lead annual Yoga and Bodywork retreats in India, where I spend most of the year.