Across the globe, there are millions of yoga practitioners and numerous yoga aficionado who absolutely love, admire, and respect this mystical science for its miraculous power to heal, transform, and provide a happy glow.
Scientifically, the performance of yoga involving breath-synchronized movements, chanting, etc., stimulates the vagus nerve which serves as a messenger between the central nervous system, vital organs, and hormone ‘Oxytocin’ that facilitate a deeper connection and uplift our spirits to make us feel happier. Additionally, in yogic lore, Lord Shiva (the Adiyogi) tells Devi Parvati, “There is no Mukti without Bukti” translating to there can be no freedom (Mukti) without enjoyment (Bukti). Likewise, yoga is a spiritual expedition of sacred fun that helps us rise above all the sufferings to tap into the divine fun.
Unlock the unbound happiness and bliss with the traditional discipline of yoga.
How Yoga Makes Us Happy
1. Alleviates Discomfort
Traditionally, Lord Shiva revealed 84 yoga asanas mentioned in various classic texts on yoga that positively affect the physical health of the practitioners and efficiently alleviates chronic pain, discomfort, major health issues, artery diseases, lubricates stiff joints, etc. granting you with perfectly working and salubrious body. Regular pain and discomfort are largely associated with bad mood patterns and anxiety making you feel miserable and unhappy. Inversions such as handstand and shoulder stand tone the extensor in the spine that directly affects the emotional centers and frontal cortical functioning of the brain. Forward folds such as paschimottanasana calm the stressed body. Heart opening poses of camel posture, extended puppy pose, bow pose trigger the heart chakra fostering confidence and happiness. Backbends are well-known for creating a sense a fearlessness as these open the heart and its core.
2. Release the Iliopsoas and Uplift your Spirits
Iliopsoas is one of the deepest muscle groups of the body having an intimate affair with our moods and health, thus known as “muscle of the soul”. The Iliopsoas is closely linked to the fight or flight brain response and overall well-being. Whenever, we experience sensations of unhappiness, fear, and resentment, these muscles contract and tighten and manifest in the form of pain in the knees, hips, pelvis, and lower back. The boat pose, one-legged plank pose, low lunge pose, wind-relieving pose stretch and strengthen the iliopsoas muscles thus creating higher self-awareness, providing greater happiness, amplifying flexibility, and enhancing the mood levels.
3. Clear the Mind Clutter and Savor Peacefulness
Cleanse the mind and choose the peaceful door with the yogic art of meditation. The meditation practices performed the right way offer profound physical and mental rest. Rest is nature’s way of dissolving stress. With stress becoming a nagging pain in the rat-race driven modern life, meditation is one of the most powerful methods of savoring a calmer brain. The Transcendental meditation popularized by Mahesh Maharishi Yogi has been scientifically proven to produce relaxation response in the body and brain. Other meditation techniques such as Vespasian Meditation, Mantra Meditation, Guided Meditation, and Breathing Meditation increase the GABA levels in the brain by nearly 27%; anxiety and depression are associated with low GABA levels. Meditation is helpful in healing Post-Traumatic experiences by cultivating a heightened sense of calmness.
4. Manage Stress with Pranayama
With more and more episodes of stress and worries culminating, most of us have learned the art of taking short breaths. Pranayama teaches us the skill of natural breathing– deep and relaxed breaths that allow the air to fully pass through the lungs. This rejuvenates the body and invigorates the mind making you feel happier than before. Combining breath with yoga poses makes yoga practice a form of moving meditation that creates positive biochemical changes in the brain and fortifies the health. Anulom-Vilom, Kapalbhati, Sheetali, and Ujjayi Pranayama practices are beneficial for stabilizing and relaxing the mind.
5. Enhance Psychological Well-Being and Savor Absolute Exuberance
The yoga practices activate the seven chakras located within the body, improving psychological well-being, building self-confidence, enhancing self-esteem, reducing physical fatigue, and fostering creativity and love that in return produces sensations of utmost happiness and exuberance. The balanced chakras infuse the body with a fresh stream of positivity allowing the individuals to lead a life in a fulfilling and mindful manner.
6. Lead the Way to True Freedom with Yamas and Niyamas
Sage Patanjali has offered an eight-limbed path of yoga that enables the practitioners to lead an emotionally stable and healthy life that is more meaningful and purposeful. The eight guidelines are specifically designed to promote greater happiness and spiritual fulfillment for yourself and to others around.
With Asana, Pranayama, Meditation, Philosophy– Yoga is the natural path to happiness.
Unplug, Practice, Deeply Breathe, and Enjoy!
Manmohan Singh
Manmohan Singh is a passionate Yogi, Yoga Teacher and a Traveller in India. He provides Yoga Teacher Training in India. He loves writing and reading books related to yoga, health, nature and the Himalayas.
