Teaching yoga as an instructor is very rewarding for many reasons. Meeting new people, helping…
Three Reasons Why Yoga Inversions are The Fountain of Youth
Yoga is a practice that can help with restorative and preventative results. It goes beyond just going through the motions and practicing certain poses. Currently, society seems to be filled with fear, stress, and anxiety. Those types of feelings can affect us at any stage of life. According to Psychology Today, our society has seen a rise in anxiety disorders by twenty-fold in the last 30 years. When people experience anxiety, the sympathetic nervous system is over stimulated, and the entire body’s homeostasis is interrupted. However, yoga inversions can help to balance and cleanse the nervous system by stimulating the Pineal and Pituitary glands. Both glands tell the brain to bring us to a calmer state of mind. Inversion poses are the holy grail of yoga poses, and they take time and patience to master. Once you master inversions, where your head is below your heart, you will experience a myriad of health and beauty benefits. Read on to see why many refer to inversions as the fountain of youth because of its age-defying effects!
Yoga Inversions Provide both a Soothing and Energizing Effect
Sample pose: Viparita Karani (Legs-up-the-Wall Pose), supported
Viparita Karani is a Sanskrit term that refers to the “action of inverting”. It is a mild inversion that is more of a general action rather than a series of poses. It is often called the “fountain of youth pose” because of its profound restorative effects. It is best to do this with your legs up the wall and your low back supported by either a yoga block or a pillow. This pose is great to do during a meditation; where you simply are “just being”. To receive the full benefits of the pose, aim for about 10-20 minutes in the pose to end your day on a soothing and energizing note.
Inversions Can Reverse the Effects of Gravity
Sample pose: Sirshasana, or Headstand
In the supported headstand (Salamba Sirasana), the body is completely inverted, and held upright supported by the forearms, while the crown of the head rests lightly on the floor. Standing upright nearly our entire lives, it’s no wonder that eventually everything starts to sag”“ it’s the natural law of gravity! However, the headstand pose helps your heart to not have to work as hard to pump blood through your lower body. Some swear that headstands provide a natural alternative to a face lift.
Yoga Inversions Can Improve Circulation
Our body contains water and all types of fluid that can get concentrated in locations, but mainly it’s located in the lower body simply because of gravity. The gravitational pull on our lower body and lack of care can cause hemorrhoids and varicose veins. When we invert, those fluids drain from our lower body, this helps clear up any fluids (water and blood) being stored in the lower body extremities.
Come Practice Your Inversions with Us
Yoga Connections in Smithfield and Goldsboro is a locally owned and operated yoga studio that aims to help yoga students in the Raleigh, Smithfield, Clayton, Benson and Goldsboro areas find their physical and spiritual balance.
For more information, schedule a class, or purchase a yoga class pass, call 919-971-1431 or come visit us in the studio.
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