Every year on June 21st, the International Day of Yoga raises awareness about the benefits of this mind and body practice. It’s also a day to encourage people around the world to welcome yoga to their life.
One of the meanings of the word yoga is ‘uniting’. This symbolizes the union of body and consciousness. Today, two billion people around the world do yoga, some a form of exercise, and others to relieve stress. On the physical level, yoga helps you body remember how easy and free it felt before driving, desk jobs, carrying children and performing other daily tasks. Mentally, it brings more clarity into your life and helps you make better decisions.
Some of the other health benefits include:
- Improves flexibility
- Builds muscle strength
- Prevents cartilage and joint breakdown
- Increases blood flow
- Lowers blood pressure
- Regulates adrenal glands
- Improves balance
- Prevents some digestive problems
- Eases pain
The list goes on. As a popular quote goes, “If you practice yoga once a week, you will change your mind. If you practice yoga twice a week, you will change your body. If you practice yoga every day, you will change your life.”
To celebrate Celebrate Summer Solstice and International Yoga Day, Ana is teaching a FREE ashtanga-based yoga class as part of Edinburgh Yoga Festival on Tuesday 21 June, at 12 PM at Meadows (the Summerhall part). This is a donation (optional!) and all the donations are going to Edinburgh Community Yoga’s Trauma Outreach Projects. (@ecyoutreach )