Reason #172 you should be adding yoga to your self-care routine: It helps build resilience.
Yup, not only does the centuries-old practice help with flexibility and breathing, but it also encourages you to use neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to change and adapt. This is a key skill to exercise regularly and can be applied to every person and every lifestyle.
Resilience is defined as the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties. And seeing as this last year has been packed with moments that challenge serenity and our well-being, finding resilience and mastering it feels like it should be priority. But how does yoga come into play exactly?
Believe it or not, in addition to loving comfort, the brain also craves new experiences. This is why starting a new exercise routine like yoga is so beneficial. This allows your brain to leave its comfort zone and to better adapt to changes. You’ll be quicker to embrace the wobbles – both in yoga posing and in everyday life.
Want to give it a shot? Make mastering tree pose a new goal. Or challenge yourself to meditate every day for two weeks straight. You’ll start off feeling frustrated (that’s normal!), but those feelings will eventually subside until your body adapts to new movements. You’ll become more flexible with time, thus unlocking a new skill you wouldn’t have otherwise had.
Take it from Derek Beres, a Los Angeles-based author and fitness instructor with 20+ years of experience: “I don’t like to get caught up in terms like ‘best’ as it’s like grading my quiet time on a scale,” he tells us of his meditation journey, encouraging others to stay present. “If I let go of expectations and just sit and breathe, I usually stand back up a bit calmer and more focused. That’s all I could ask for.”
Comments