5 ways yoga has improved my mental health
By Cathleen Santoso co-founder of Rare Studios Bondi
Not only can a regular yoga practice increase your flexibility, muscle strength and cardio health, it’s also the perfect exercise for improving your mental wellbeing. Countless studies have shown that people who practise yoga enjoy lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol and an increase in feel-good hormones like endorphins. For me, personally, yoga has also increased my awareness, which allows me to be more present; my connection with myself and others; my sense of belonging, which stems from the connection I feel to myself and my community; my self-discipline, as it gives me a structure to follow; and my aptitude for empathy, so my compassion, kindness, and overall good vibes.
How has yoga allowed me to cultivate the skills above? There are many tools that have collectively guided me, but here are a few below:
1 Asana (aka, the physical)
This refers to what we commonly know as flow yoga or chill yoga. It helps promote a mind-body connection and for me, this is what has helped the most with connection and awareness. It has helped me develop the skill to listen and be fully immersed in something. My teacher, Noelle, likes to say, “Asana is like a mental holiday,” because it requires an immediate form of presence. Far too often, we are constantly distracted, but with chill/restorative yoga, we can find a slower kind of practice that can help you unwind, release physical and mental tension, and promote a sense of calm.
2 Pranayama (aka, breathwork)
This is a powerful mindfulness exercise that’s accessible to everyone. It’s the practice of breath regulation and is a key component of yoga. Prana means “life” and yama means “control”. It has the power the bring your body, mind, and spirit into alignment. You can breathe deeply through yoga poses or incorporate it into your daily activities.
3 Meditation
Everyone knows this one, but the reason you move your body and do breathwork is so that you can prepare yourself to sit still. Even if your mind is racing a million miles a second, that’s OK. Take a deep breath and observe your thoughts without judgement. Let them come and go.
4 Self-reflection (as part of the second limb, Niyama)
Called “svadhyaya,” which means to self-study, or, I suppose, to reflect on our actions both on and off the mat. It’s the act of recognising your actions and thoughts without judgement, a form of introspective practice. I like the analogy that the highest sports athletes always reflect on their game – they nit-pick and learn in order to improve. Why don’t we do that with our lives?
Rare Studios is a place where epic flows, meets mental health. It is movement for mindset, a community based, unpretentious studio that lets you sweat it out, and Zen it out, practising in the way that feels right to you that day. The highly anticipated studio was founded by Noelle Connolly, Christian Ralston and Cathleen Santoso