Spike your happiness in 30 minutes of yoga practice

All the orthodox systems of Indian Philosophy have one goal in view, the liberation of the soul through perfection. The method is by Yoga - Swami Vivekananda.

More than merely positive mood, happiness is a state of well-being that encompasses living a good life—that is, with a sense of meaning and deep satisfaction.

It is a mental or emotional state of well-being which can be defined by, among others, positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy.

Breathing makes you happier

Every yoga practice irrespective of styles includes elements of focusing on the breath to invigorate or relax. Research has shown that the ability to become aware of and regulate the breath is essential regarding lowering stress and anchoring oneself at the moment--both of which are needed to feel happier. A quick burst of 100-200 Kapalabhatti can invigorate your body and mind.

Postures affect your mood

Did you know that your physical posture and attitude is related to your mood? When we tend to think of sadness or negative, it causes lethargy and slumping rather than vice-versa, it turns out that changing your posture can change your mood. Yoga of all types strengthens that brain-body connection where the body sends messages to the brain that make it feel healthy and active. If you feel lazy and have started the morning in a distracted or dull state, ten rounds of Ashtanga Surya namaskars A and B followed with 10 minutes of breathing conscious savasana can boost your mood.

Postures eliminates stress and anxiety

Yoga postures combined with breathing functions like other self-soothing techniques, such as meditation, relaxation, and exercise. By reducing perceived stress and anxiety, yoga appears to modulate stress response systems. This, in turn, decreases physiological arousal, e.g., reducing the heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and easing respiration. There is also evidence that yoga practices help increase heart rate variability, an indicator of the body's ability to respond to stress more flexibly.

Researchers have also proved the benefits

In a German study published in 2005, women who described themselves as “emotionally distressed” are treated with 90-min yoga classes a week for 3 months. At the end of 3 months, women in the yoga group reported improvements in perceived stress, depression, anxiety, energy, fatigue, and well-being. Depression scores improved by 50%, anxiety scores 30%, and overall well-being scores by 65%. Initial complaints of headaches, back pain, and poor sleep quality also resolved much more often in the yoga group than in the control group.

Another 2005 study examined the effects of a single yoga class for inpatients at the New Hampshire psychiatric hospital, 113 participants among patients with bipolar disorder, major depression, and schizophrenia it is found after yoga class, tension, anxiety, depression, anger, hostility, and fatigue dropped significantly. Further controlled trials of yoga practice have demonstrated improvements in mood and quality of life for elderly, people caring for patients with dementia, breast cancer survivors, and patients with epilepsy (Source: US national Library of Medicine)

(Photo source: yogafoundations.com)