How It Impacts the Body, Emotions and Mind
Following in what I learned from my teachers in India such as BNS Iyengar, the direct and oldest student of the Father of Modern Yoga Krishnamacharya that customizing the class for individual students is key. My hope is to inspire my students to build a bridge between what happens on their mats, and what happens in real life. Deeper still, I would like to help offer yogic practices to bridge the individual soul with their higher self and to God, or the universal soul. Essentially my hope through Bend it like Buddha Yoga Algarve 200-hour and 300-hour course is to assist with world peace starting on the individual level then outwardly to society much like a pebble thrown into the water causing ripples outward.
In a physical workout and in fitness regimes, the practice ends when you leave the gym or end the program. Yoga a set of tools for self-knowledge, is far more infinite as it’s a precise science, philosophy and an effective system for life enhancement.
On the yoga mat you bring ALL of yourself, the good, the bad and the ugly of your day-to-day and honour every part of yourself. We learn to not hold back, and to observe our thoughts but not feed into them. Steadily we become proficient in going beyond our fear of pain and discomfort. We learn what it takes to extent compassion, equanimity of ourselves and the outside world with all of its pain and suffering.
Taking the time to learn and practice yoga will set off a cascade of positive results both in your mind, emotions and body and in your life. Asana, pranayama and meditation offer the most effective wellness tools for ultimate self-care. So, what are you waiting for? Roll out your mat😊
Yoga is more than just stretching or physical exercise—it’s a holistic practice deeply rooted in science. The sadhus and rishis in India thousands of years ago knew this well before modern science caught up with the affects of mind, body, emotions from yoga. From calming the mind to strengthening the body and bringing harmony wholistically, yoga offers measurable benefits backed by modern research. Understanding the science behind yoga helps explain why this ancient practice continues to gain popularity in today’s complicated world.
Yoga and the Brain: Enhancing Mental Clarity
One of yoga’s most powerful effects is on the mind and nervous system.
For some, the use of meditation has helped improve social and speaking skills. Studies have shown that yoga practitioners show improved social engagement, articulation and communication because meditation activates regions of the brain involved in speech.
Studies using MRI show that regular yoga practice increases the size of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex—areas related to memory, focus, and decision-making.
Certain yoga postures have research suggesting increased benefits to the body as well. In a forward fold, if flattened thoracic curve – allow it to round slightly as you bend forward. When the body is folded forward in this way your spine and hamstrings feel an intense stretching, while the blood flow to the brain increases.
Yoga also reduces activity in the amygdala, the brain’s stress center, helping practitioners manage anxiety and depression more effectively.
Pranayama, yogic breathing techniques utilizes all components of the lungs, proper consumption of Co2 and opens arteries due to higher Co2. Therefore, oxygen is better utilized by the brain and the arteries with regular yogic breathing. Essentially the whole body will function better with better breathing and longer breath cycles. Most people take about 10 breathes per minute. Yogis on the other hand train to improve their lung capacity and can take just a few. From pranayama experience, yogis can take 2 full breathes per minute with breath retentions. ‘Shorter breathes, shorter life’ is a common quote my teacher BNS Iyengar would say. Take a look at the tortoise, it only takes about 3 breathes per minute and can live over 100 years!
Through deep breathing and mindful movement, yoga activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and reduces cortisol, the stress hormone. Just 15 minutes of yoga, meditation or pranayama a day can lead to significant improvements in peace of mind, physical body and emotion regulation.
The Physical Benefits: Strength, Flexibility, and Healing
Scientifically, yoga strengthens muscles, improves flexibility, and enhances posture. Yoga uses bodyweight resistance and dynamic stretching to build long, lean muscle mass. It also increases blood flow, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to tissues.
The 2nd series of Ashtanga yoga postures focuses on backward bending asanas or heart opening yoga postures that are believed to not only strengthen and lengthen the spine, but also to help cleanse the subtle energy channels in the body, known as Nadis.
Backward bending asanas are an integral part of Nadi Shodhana otherwise known as the second series of Ashtanga, because they provide a safe way for practitioners to access and cleanse their energetic pathways while strengthening their physical bodies at the same time. Not only does this practice bring about inner peace and balance but it helps improve overall health and stability too— making it one yoga series you won’t want to miss!
One key aspect is its impact on the fascia, the connective tissue surrounding muscles. Slow, intentional poses help release tension in the fascia, improving range of motion and reducing chronic pain, especially in the back, shoulders, and hips. Releasing the hip flexors in hip opening yoga postures can also help release emotions suppressed in the body. Note: it is common for beginners to feel angry in yoga, this could be why..the emotions are being released out from the body in a safe and healthy way. Rather than, say supressing the emotions for risking bad affects such as lashing out in rage in public for a tiny miscommunication.
Studies go on and on…they have suggested that yoga to be as effective as physical therapy for managing lower back pain and joint stiffness. It’s also proven to lower blood pressure, bring balance to heart rate, and help with immunity.
Emotional Balance Through Mindfulness
Yoga’s emotional impact is closely tied to awareness, mindfulness and breathwork.
Awareness: This is very important for the Yoga practices. Awareness is the key words for Yoga. If no awareness, it will just be a simple physical exercise. The purpose of asana practice is to influence, integrate and harmonize all the levels of being: physical, pranic, mental, emotional, psychic and spiritual.
The following awareness must be present, while practitioners practicing:
- Movement awareness
- Breathing awareness
- Counting awareness
- Effect awareness.
- Mental reaction awareness.
Yoga encourages self-awareness. By turning attention inward, practitioners learn to observe their thoughts and emotions without judgment, creating a greater sense of inner peace and emotional control.
Pratyahara ultimately leads us towards deeper states of meditation (dhyana). By practicing with purposeful intention – holding steady gaze while shifting internal awareness – we gain insight into our thoughts and emotions while cultivating mental clarity.
The practice of pranayama is a wonderful way to increase awareness and pratyahara. Pratayahara is sense control withdrawal and resting the senses. Pranayama regulates the flow of life energy, which in turn helps balance mood and emotion. Yogic breathing techniques have been shown to lower symptoms of depression, PTSD, and anxiety by calming the autonomic nervous system and many more benefits!
Why It Works: A Mind-Body Connection
The science behind yoga proves what yogis have known for centuries—it’s all connected. The breath controls the mind, the mind influences the body, and the body impacts emotions. This interconnectedness is at the heart of yoga’s healing power.
Whether you’re practicing vinyasa flow, yin yoga, or a simple 10-minute meditation, the benefits are real and cumulative. Yoga isn’t just good for you—it rewires how your mind and body work together.
Start your practice Today!
Understanding the science behind yoga reveals why it’s such a powerful tool for holistic health. If you’re looking to reduce stress, improve physical fitness, and find emotional balance, yoga offers a proven path grounded in both tradition and research.
Talk to us today! The compassionate and experienced instructors at Bend it like Buddha Yoga Algarve are looking forward to support your yoga journey!
http://www.benditlikebuddhayoga.com
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