When you first enter into the world of yoga, choosing the right style can be overwhelming. Each discipline comes with its own inherent benefits, and you often have to try a few before you settle on a style. Ashtanga yoga is one of the oldest yogic traditions, as well as one of the most rigorous practices. It requires great mental effort and physical exertion in order to work through the prescribed series of asanas.
If you’ve been wondering whether this demanding yoga style is right for you, you may want to see these three major benefits of a regular Ashtanga yoga practice. Then, pull on a pair of your best yoga leggings and try out the Primary Series to see if it’s the perfect fit for you.
- Ashtanga helps to create mental focus.
Moving with the breath is one of the most important aspects of an Ashtanga yoga practice. You open up on the inhale and close on the exhale as you move through a series of postures. Practitioners must learn to focus on the task at hand, regardless of what kind of discomfort they may be in.
As you learn to center yourself and focus on the breath, that same type of intense focus can transfer to other areas of your life. You may be able to keep your attention on an important project, think more clearly before you speak, and perform other tasks that previously caused you to stumble.
- You may experience lower levels of stress.
If you regularly commit to a yoga practice, lower stress levels are one of the key benefits. The rigorous practice helps to rid your body of nervous energy while simultaneously strengthening you. You will sleep better at night due to the physical exercise and respond with less agitation throughout the day. All of these simple actions are linked together and promoted by a regular Ashtanga practice.
You also learn how to alter the way your body feels simply by taking a deeper breath. Breathing through a difficult situation or simply pausing for a moment can help you to make wiser decisions and lower your stress almost instantly.
- Your body will be extremely toned.
Unlike gentler varieties of yoga, you will quickly begin to see the strengthening and the toning that a regular Ashtanga yoga practice provides. It is a relatively rigorous practice that encourages flexibility and core strength. Yogis will find themselves moving deeper into the practice over time, but they may struggle with the physical exertion in the very beginning.
Most students who start studying Ashtanga yoga begin to notice the benefits within just a few weeks. They may identify greater flexibility, a stronger core, or stronger arms.
An Ashtanga yoga practice can bring significant benefits to each area of your life and improve your mental, physical, and emotional health. These major advantages should be highly considered when trying to decide what style of yoga you will choose to practice. After all, this practice is designed to benefit you.
