The way in which we socialise as human beings has changed dramatically in recent months. Our face to face interactions with our friends and family, and physical contact through touch have been restricted. Simultaneously, our need to connect through technology has taken a bigger hold on our lives and as a direct response, we’ve taken a greater interest in reconnecting with more natural ways of living. Walks and physical exercise in nature, yoga classes and meditation have grown in popularity as we all attempt to make sense of the uncertainty of our day to day lives. But how and why does moving your body help?
1 Deepening connections
Exploring creative movement and somatic practices like yoga are whole body experiences which stimulate the body and the mind in many ways. These practices increase connection with ourselves and provide a substitute for lost interactions with peers. If we can no longer explore our fears and aspirations through interactions with our friends, we need to tap into our deeper inner self to discover who we are and where we want to be. If we begin to recognise how we are feeling, we can begin to understand what triggers those feelings and then adjust our lives accordingly.
2 Our vital immune systems are boosted
Both yoga and dance increase our body strength through building muscle stability and improve flexibility by loosening tight muscles and fascia. By being physically and mentally strong we are boosting our immune system which will ultimately help us fight infections like Covid 19, prevent weight gain and protect us against chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis, or heart disease.
3 stress and anxiety ARE REDUCED
Neuroscience studies have shown that both creative dance and yoga activate the areas of the brain responsible for emotion and memory processes and cause a release of hormones which enhance mood and boost the emotional processes of the brain. Research has shown that practicing yoga lowers the activation of the amygdala, a part of the brain known as the ‘fear and stress centre’, and this results in a reduction in our stress and anxiety levels. Yoga reduces these levels by decreasing activity in the nervous system which helps focus the mind, while increasing levels of happiness.
4 GET A better night's sleep
Many of us have experienced trouble sleeping during the pandemic, and yoga can certainly improve sleep quality. Not only does it provide a relaxing, soothing environment where our bodies and minds can shut down, it also provides downtime for our nervous system, allowing our bodies to relax into a deeper, more restful slumber.
5 Increase your clarity of thinking
Creative dance is also associated with achieving the ‘flow state’, a well-researched phenomenon in which people become fully immersed in an activity that leads to increased levels of contentment and productivity, generating a more relaxed state of mind. The emphasis on how we breathe whilst practicing yoga and dance helps develop our lung capacity whilst calming down our overactive minds, improving our focus and clarity of thought.
What’s so great about both yoga and dance is that they are universally available to everyone! They’re not geared towards a specific age group or ability level and they can be practiced at home - so off you go and explore the wonderful wide-reaching benefits of yoga, movement and dance.
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