There is a growing body of research that highlights the benefits of yoga for mental health. Yoga has been found to increase body awareness, relieves stress, reduces muscle tension, strain, and inflammation, sharpen attention and concentration, and calm and center the nervous system. It has been shown to enhance social well-being through a sense of belonging to others, and improve the symptoms of depression, attention deficit and hyperactivity,and sleep disorders.

What isyoga?

The word ‘yoga’is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘yuj’,which means to yoke or harness. Metaphorically speaking, it means to bring together. In fact, this is exactly what practicing yoga does - it brings together the combination of mind, body and spirit into one entity.

Patanjali was a distinguished Indian sage, who developed a comprehensive system of yogic philosophy in 200 BCE. He divided these practices of yoga into eight categories with each category focusing on a specific spiritual evolution. These eight categories are called the eight limbs of yoga:

• YAMA – Restraints, moral disciplines or moral vows
• NIYAMA – Positive duties or observances
• ASANA – Posture
• PRANAYAMA – Breathing techniques
• PRATYAHARA – Sense withdrawal
• DHARANA – Focused concentration
• DHYANA – Meditative absorption 
• SAMADHI – Bliss or enlightenment

How does yoga help with mental clarity and peace of mind?

Doing any form of physical exercise results in the brain releasing specific chemicals called endorphins into the blood stream,triggering positive feelings in the body. Yoga stretches and breath-work (also known as meditation) are an excellent way to release endorphins in the body, which helps a person feel optimistic and de-stressed at the same time.

This practice also helps individuals to detach themselves from their environment and focus their attention inwards - towards their own feelings and perceptions. By taking the time out to focus on this physical activity (various yoga postures and breathing exercises), the process of oxygenation and cell renewal is stimulated within our body.

By allowing yourself some space to look at situations from a different perspective, you are welcoming retrospection as well as compassion towards yourself and others. All of this brings about a state of mental clarity and mindfulness, which refers to performing actions with awareness and complete thought, without distractions of negative influences such as fear, anger or stress. In other words, it means to be completely one with your surroundings.

Asanas or yoga postures are designed to work on building strength and resilience in the muscles groups, and giving the body space to heal and renew itself, in order for life to continue in a healthy and self-sustaining manner. The different types of breathing practiced during a yoga session promote energy release and help the individual sustain challenging and difficult exercises and postures.

How canyoga help during the COVID-19 pandemic?

In light of the current situation, practicing yoga can be extremely helpful in clearing up anxiety and mental stress. Performing any form of yoga, be it simple meditation with various types of breath work or proper sequences with multiple asanas (postures), helps to calm the nerves, anxieties, concerns and anticipation. All in all, yoga enables you to maintain focus on the present, eradicating all rational or irrational fears of what is to come. This accomplishment of a peaceful state of mind not only empowers you to face an array of diverse situations, but allows you to tackle them with composure and ease.