3rd International Yoga Day 2017: Bet No One Told You These 5 Things About Yoga

With the 3rd International Yoga Day 2017 approaching, first-timers should pay attention to some important information that no one probably told you about yoga before. Yoga is a group of physical, mental and spiritual exercises that can help you deal with a variety of problems. Even for those who are unperturbed by many problems in daily life, Yoga can help you live a healthier and happier life. So here are 5 things that you should know to better enjoy the positive results of yoga.

Also read: Let's Make World Yoga Day 2017 A Memorable One, Says PM Modi

1. It's not just about touching your feet or chanting

While Yoga is about spiritual consciousness, it is in no way just that. There are more than 9 types of Yoga that you can do, based on what you want to achieve. One kind is the Hatha Yoga, that is about gently exercising your muscles for physical fitness and holding your breath while you're doing them. Another is the Vinyasa yoga, that is dynamic, quick and like a dance. It is preferred by athletes looking to build endurance. Yet another form is Bikram, that has a vigorous routine of 26 poses, performed in a very hot room. Apart from these, you can choose from Ashtanga, Iyengar, Kundalini, Hot Yoga, Yin Yoga and Restorative yoga to suit your needs.

2. Yoga can even help you communicate better

While people generally resort to workshops that teach you speaking skills and guidebooks, the art of Yoga is also effective for people looking to express themselves better. Yoga relieves tiredness and accumulated stress in your body. The breathing techniques involved in yoga have been shown to build confidence, thus allowing you to talk more easily.

3. You will sweat when you do it

Unlike what most people think, Yoga does involve rigorous workouts and not just sitting on a mat. Certain forms of yoga increase your heart rate and blood circulation and call for profuse sweating. So keep a towel handy when you go for your yoga class and be prepared to have some sore muscles. For example, hot yoga is a tough workout based on stretching, that will leave you drenched in sweat.

International Yoga day: You body does not need to be stretchy like a rubber band.
Photo Credit: iStock

4. Yoga can help you rekindle love in a relationship

Surprisingly, yoga is a source for many people to unburden themselves of their troubling thoughts and fears. Since it requires you to calm your mind, people often experience a clarity of thought that helps them reconnect to their feelings of love. This form of practise also directs your thoughts to the present and boosts optimism. You learn to stay present-focused, not wallowing into small things that don't matter.

5. You don't have to be super-flexible to do it

Yoga helps you become flexible, it is not a requirement for you to be able to it. You body does not need to be stretchy like a rubber band. While advanced posers attain that level of super flexibility, amateurs and even intermediate people aren't very flexible when they do yoga.

So now that you know these 5 important things about yoga, you can well on your way to direct some positive energy into your body and increase your fitness with Yoga.