Yoga for stress management in a chaotic world

Everyone has had this emotion. Tense shoulders, a clenched jaw, and an incoherent brain that refuses to concentrate on anything. It appears that stress is an unwanted constant in our contemporary life. But what if there was a home cure that could release stress and give you a sense of clarity and calmness? Now for yoga, an age-old discipline that encompasses far more than just twisted poses. Yoga uses three main techniques to combat stress: physical postures called asanas, controlled breathing exercises called pranayama, and meditation. Let's dissect it:
Managing Stress: Although it's a bonus, becoming flexible enough for Instagram isn't the main goal of yoga poses. Backaches and tension headaches are frequently caused by tight muscles, which can be released with gentle stretches and deliberate movements.
You become more conscious of your body and any tension you may be holding as you hold these poses while paying attention to your breath. With each exhale, it's like physically clearing and releasing stored-up stress.
Breathing for Calm: We frequently underestimate the effectiveness of a regular breath. Yoga instructs you on how to breathe deeply and rhythmically so that oxygen reaches every part of your body. The fight-or-flight reaction that arises in stressful conditions is calmed by this. Picture yourself breathing in calm and breathing out worries; when you do so, you get a little bit more at ease.

Calming the Mind: In truth, our minds are constantly talking. Yoga uses meditation practices to help reduce mental chatter. You may teach your mind to be in the present moment instead of worrying about the past or the future by concentrating on your breath or a mantra, which is a soothing word or phrase. A sense of inner peace might arise from this newfound calm, dispelling tension like a wave that recedes from the shore.
The best thing about Yoga is that it is beginner-friendly. You can enjoy the stress-relieving effects without being a twisting yogi. No matter your age, degree of flexibility, or level of fitness, yoga is for you. There is a tonne of different poses, so you can figure out what suits your body best. The secret is that the advantages of yoga go well beyond the mat. You carry over the serenity you develop in practice into your everyday life. You get more adept at controlling tense circumstances with composure, responding patiently rather than rashly, and putting your health first.
If you're feeling stressed out by the grind of daily life, try yoga. It could be the missing piece of the stress-reduction puzzle. Recall that the important thing is to take care of oneself, take a minute to exercise, breathe, and achieve inner calm, rather than striving for perfection.
(Dr. Narendra K Shetty, Chief Wellness Officer, Kshemavana, Bangalore)