What are people talking about when they say yoga works on body, mind and spirit?
Yoga helps the physical body be strong, flexible and balanced. It also helps to calm the mind, reducing the impact of negative stress; this happens because yoga gives us new perspective but also because it enhances breathing and works on the glandular system (the machine that regulates stress hormones). Breathing is the most significant part of most yoga practices, and bringing awareness to the breath (whether you are a baby, child or adult) is quite beneficial. Noticing that our body breathes, calms the mind, relaxes us and brings us into the present moment so we don’t worry about past or future so much. Breath links the body and mind, which allows access to self. When we are aware of our own unique being, we can value our strengths, have compassion for our weaknesses, become more confident and be happier. That’s the spirit!
