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7 Positive Effects Yoga Has on Mental Health

August 21, 2023
7 Positive Effects Yoga Has on Mental Health

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Mental Health Benefits of Yoga: Practicing Yoga to Improve Your Mental Well-Being


Do you ever come home drained from a bad day and wish there was just one thing you could do that would …

1. Release the stress
2. Clear your mind
3. Put a smile on your face

… and help burn off that huge piece of cake you ate for lunch?

Then it’s time to unroll your mat and practice yoga.

Here are seven reasons why adding yoga to your regular health routine will improve your mental well-being.

Table of Contents

The Effects of Yoga on Mental Health
7 Positive Effects Yoga Has on Mental Health
Guided Yoga With Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi

The Effects of Yoga on Mental Health


Within the yoga philosophy, it’s believed that we have three kinds of health:

1. Mind
2. Body; and
3. Spirit

These three aspects of health are uniquely connected and if one is neglected, eventually the others will suffer.

On the other hand, the benefits of caring for one can positively influence others.

But imagine if you could enact a holistic health routine that cultivates the health of all three.

This is the brilliance of yoga –– it tends to your physical, spiritual, and mental well-being.

Yoga benefits aren’t just reserved for advanced practitioners. You too can garner these benefits with just fifteen minutes of practice per session.

Body & Brain Yoga and Tai Chi instructors believe that emotional health plays an influential role in the benefits of yoga for mental well-being.

We offer the best in holistic fitness through online and in-studio yoga classes available from over 100+ locations nationwide to:

• Uplift your mood
• Boost your energy; and
• Reduce stress

Contact Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi today for a low-cost 50-minute Private Introductory Session.

7 Positive Effects Yoga Has on Mental Health


Yoga has become an increasingly popular form of exercise in recent years.

Many people are attracted to yoga because they’re seeking more than just physical exercise.

So if you’ve found yourself asking, “Does yoga help with mental health” keep reading for seven reasons why the answer is a resounding “yes”!

#1: Positive Affirmations

Positive affirmations are .

Yoga sessions often begin by setting intentions. These intentions may include uplifting affirmations; or, the affirmations may be coupled with meditation practice.

Some examples of positive affirmations you might try in your yoga session might include:

• My body is not me, but mine.
• I love my [body part: brain, heart, stomach, liver, intestines, etc.; especially, any part that doesn’t feel well today]
• I am present, right here, right now.
• Where the mind goes, energy follows.
• Good news makes a good brain.
• If I choose it, it will happen.

You can also choose to use more specific affirmations based on your needs or situation.

Practicing positive affirmations has even been to activate the brain activity associated with one’s feelings of self-worth and emotional regulation.

#2: Release Mood-Boosting Brain Chemicals

Moving your body and most forms of exercise will trigger your body to release "feel-good" chemicals in the brain.

Yoga movements might be slow and controlled, but your muscles are still working hard, which elevates your heart rate and including:

• Dopamine
• Serotonin; and
• Norepinephrine

have even shown that when it comes to treating depression, yoga can have a comparable positive effect to treatments like medication and psychotherapy.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, of adult Americans, and.

Yoga is inexpensive and comes without the severe side effects of many medicines. It’s no surprise that you may notice yourself feeling a bit brighter as you leave your next yoga practice.

#3: Promote Relaxation

Everyone experiences stressors throughout the day.

You might not even notice how you begin to collect stress as you move through your daily activities. Things like …

• Traffic or a crowded commute to work
• Remembering an errand that slipped your mind
• An awkward interaction with an acquaintance, or
• An unexpected traffic delay

… can easily build up your stress. The next thing you know, you’re carrying quite a heavy load.

As stress piles on, you might notice:

• Shortness of breath
• A clenched jaw
• Tightness in the chest; or
• Stiff shoulders and neck

In a , more than 80% of yoga practitioners reported it helped them empty the day’s stress.

This may be credited in part to the…

• Breath training
• Peaceful atmosphere; and
• Calming music

… that accompanies most yoga practices.

#4: Improve Sleep

Have you ever tried to sleep and found yourself just lying there, ruminating over past or even future events?

Researchers suggest an added benefit to practicing yoga is it can help improve sleep.

In the same 2012 National Health Interview Survey, over 55% of adults said that practicing yoga helped them achieve better sleep.

#5: Enhance Social Life

As a child, making new friends was as simple as introducing yourself and asking directly, “Do you want to be my friend?”

As an adult, it’s not always so easy.

If you’re new in town or just looking to widen your social circle, consider attending in-person yoga classes.

Interacting with others who share similar interests or lifestyles can take the pressure out of bonding and small talk.

Additionally, the synchrony of moving and breathing in unison with others can promote bonding and a sense of community.

#6: Promote Healthy Habits

Those who practice yoga may be more likely to choose other healthy habits and engage in other types of physical activities.

The mental strength practiced in yoga can also help you change your perspective, giving you a more positive attitude and outlook on life. ‌

#7: Increase Self-Awareness

Today’s notion of self-awareness stems from and the ability to understand, use, and manage your emotions in a positive way. Developing self-awareness is an integral part of many forms of yoga.

Practicing yoga can help you increase your self-awareness by developing your ability to focus on what you’re doing in the present moment, and calming your mind, including your emotions. We often call this ability your “observer mind.”

Self-Love

Self-love is the act of valuing oneself –– as we say in Body & Brain yoga, this includes your physical self, your energetic self, and your spiritual self.

Self-love is not a selfish act, it’s about giving yourself as much grace and kindness as you give to others.

It’s not only important to recognize your strengths and be proud of them, but it’s also essential to recognize your weaknesses and practice forgiveness.

Self-Care

Self-care is a term that is often confused with self-pampering. But self-care should be an important part of every day, to support our physical, energetic, and spiritual well-being.

Just as you devote so much time and energy to the benefit of others, carving out time for your mental and emotional benefit is an act of self-love and self-care. Practicing yoga can be a helpful addition to your daily self-care.

Self-Connection

Self-connection can be thought of as tapping into your physical, energetic, and spiritual self, to accomplish a sense of internal unity, strength, and wellness.

Self-connection can take on many forms including:

• Engaging mental focus in physical exercises;
• Mindfulness practices, and
• Meditation.

The yoga practiced at Body & Brain Yoga and Tai Chi centers takes this holistic approach.

Guided Yoga With Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi


With Body & Brain Yoga and Tai Chi, our yoga classes combine elements from Eastern practices to enhance your physical, mental, and energetic health with mindful breathing and relaxed concentration.

A variety of exercises and poses help keep your practice fun and dynamic while consistently covering the basics so that you can maximize the mental health benefits of yoga.

Through a yoga workout that is physically and mentally engaging, we help you connect your mind and body for increased:

• Strength
• Flexibility; and
• Centeredness

We offer a 50-minute private introductory session with one of our expert yoga instructors who will provide you with 1-on-1 guidance on how best to utilize your yoga practice to achieve your goals.

We also offer specialized workshops to help you develop your mind and body connectedness.

With online and in-person yoga classes available at over 100 locations nationwide the path to a healthier, happier life has never been easier.

Contact us today to get started.