If you’ve never practiced yoga, it might seem a little intimidating to you. You might have seen yoga retreats, studios packed with yogis, never ending postures (called asanas), or matching yoga sets. But it’s not about what you wear, where you practice yoga, and how you look.
Yoga disciplines a person. It helps them connect to the world around them. If you start practicing yoga, it will positively impact your mental and physical health. It’s an ancient practice used to practice mindfulness.
According to new research, yoga has been linked with our nervous systems. It makes us happier, healthier, and more mindful. In this guide, we’ll discuss mindfulness and yoga for your brain in detail. For beginner yoga classes online or in-person, check out FitEngine.
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is being aware of the present moment. When you’re aware of your feelings, thoughts, physical sensations, and surroundings, you achieve mindfulness. When you practice mindfulness, you’re not thinking of the past or the future—your senses are all about the present, and you’re living in the moment.
Mindfulness also means accepting your feelings, thoughts, and sensations without judgment. You don’t believe there is a wrong or right thought or feeling. You feel what you feel and think what you think, and you stay in the present.
When you’re mindfully observing everything, you become more grounded. You stop separating good from bad, reacting to things that don’t require your response, and start living life without any self-judgment.
How is Mindfulness Related to Yoga?
Yoga is all about discipline and practicing mindfulness. In each yoga class you take, you will notice your body’s sensations. Your focus will be on your mind and body during each pose or transition. Unlike any other practice, yoga is about cultivating mindfulness.
When your yoga instructor is asking you to notice your breaths, alignment, sensations, and thoughts, you’re learning mindfulness. This is what makes yoga different from other forms of exercise/sports/disciplines. It teaches you how to move with complete conscious awareness.
Slowly, you learn to shift your mind away from the constant noise in this world and unconscious mind-chatter. You simply become an observer who is present and aware of what is happening with your mind and body at any moment.
What is Meditation?
Everyone has a different definition of or answer for mediation. This is because there are different techniques or styles for mediation. However, simply put, meditation is about focusing on the one thing that is affecting your mind.
There is a specific procedure for mediation. It has great transformation results. It helps you develop concentration, calmness, spiritual growth, emotional positivity, and self-knowledge. It is directly linked with mindfulness.
A simple form of meditation is mindfulness meditation. You focus on how you’re breathing in and out. It’s a well-researched practice with different proven benefits. Here is how you can practice mindfulness meditation.
- Find an area where you can sit.
- Once you’re seated in a comfortable position, straighten your back and close your eyes.
- Notice how air is flowing in and out of your lungs.
- Find a spot on your body where you can feel this sensation the most. It could be your nose, belly, or chest.
- If you start losing focus, start again and try to bring your attention back to this sensation.
Why Is Mindfulness Meditation Important?
Mindfulness meditation is yoga for your brain. When your mind starts wandering into some other thought during practice, you will notice this. As you’re bringing your attention back to focusing on your breathing, you’re strengthening your brain.
This “letting go and returning” process helps you improve your focus and concentration. It also builds and stimulates the grey matter in your brain. There are also shifts in your brain’s cortical processing during mindfulness meditation.
However, the greatest benefit of practicing yoga for your brain is awareness. You become aware of how you’re talking to yourself in your mind. It also helps you become more aware of your tendency to become fixated on something you like or turn away from things you don’t.
When you gain this awareness, you’re learning more about yourself. Mindfulness meditation is also great for various mental health concerns. It is beneficial for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, and PTSD. It’s also great for children who have difficulty focusing/concentrating, and regulating their emotions.
Best Yoga Classes in New York City
You can practice mindfulness meditation during any beginner yoga class in NYC. To find affordable fitness classes in NYC, visit us at FitEngine. We can help you find your desired class, including a workout yoga class and a stretching yoga class.
Visit our website to find more workout and exercise guides. Contact us for more information.
