Yoga – commonly viewed as a form of physical activity involving balance, breathing, and complex poses and sequences – is a misunderstood practice. The teachings of yoga, such as connection, breathing and relaxation, can be incorporated within everyday life, making it a practice effective off the mat.
Yoga is about developing a connection with an individual’s own mind, body and spirit. According to Healthline, “The word ‘yoga’ comes from the root word ‘yuj,’ which means ‘to yoke’ or ‘to bind.’ The word itself has numerous meanings, from an astrological conjunction to matrimony, with the underlying theme being connection.”
Developing this connection leads to better awareness and understanding of how a person’s body and mind feel during each pose. This understanding can be used off the mat to interpret feelings – especially those of pain – more effectively.
The Cicero Health Department said there is a connection between hip pain and emotional stress. Their website states, “Understanding the connection between the hips and emotions opens up avenues for proactive health management… Mindful breathing, combined with hip-opening exercises, can facilitate the release of stored emotions and promote a sense of emotional well-being.”
This emotional stress and physical pain stored in the hips will be the most noticeable when on a mat and actively working through poses; however, it will not be completely solved by the end of the hour-long class. Yoga brings attention to these tensions arising in the body – it’s up to the yogi to take that with them outside of the classroom and work through it.
In a yoga sequence, teachers typically move through one to two rounds with the students where they hold poses longer and work to feel the full effects of each motion. For the final round, many teachers encourage students to repeat the sequence while taking one breath in conjunction with each movement. Breath is inhaled when opening or extending the body and exhaled on opposite movements that tend to be more relaxing.
This style of breathing can and should be implemented in day-to-day life outside of a yoga studio. Remembering to inhale before a strenuous task or being able to exhale afterward allows people to be mindful of what they are doing and how their breath is affecting that action. On the mat, yogis breathe through difficult poses and sequences. Similarly, they breathe through their to-do list and a busy work day.
No matter a yogi’s mastery of complex poses, many will say that savasana, the resting period after the combination of sequences, is the most difficult. Savasana typically is a pose where students lie flat on their backs with their hands out to the side. Following an hour of movement and balance in a hot studio, laying down sounds like an easy thing to do – at least on paper.
According to the American Psychological Association, “Burnout and stress are at all-time highs across professions.” In a highly-demanding and emotionally-exhausting world, individuals have a hard time giving themselves a break and resting after strenuous days – leading to these high levels of exhaustion.
Actively practicing savasana allows individuals to calm their minds and bodies after yoga, a long day of work or any hardship throughout the day.
Using yoga as an off-the-mat practice of mind-body connection and awareness, strategic breathing and mindful resting is an effective tool for both yogis and non-yogis to be in touch with themselves.
Layne Rey is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnist do not reflect those of The Post. What are your thoughts? Let Layne know by tweeting her @laynerey12.
