2. Weight loss

Power yoga and yoga vinyasa are a boon when it comes to weight loss. Yoga vinyasa has been developed for physical benefits. In Western countries, this is often called power yoga. But vinyasa is more of a physical challenge and connecting inwards too while power yoga is more about physical benefits. Both give results of weight loss and help in toning the body. Through pranayams and asanas, stress levels can be controlled which is directly related to cortisone levels in the body. It is a stress hormone that shows weight gain. So it is very important to reduce the cortisone level. Sometimes one can be doing daily activities properly but still, there is weight gain. So there is a need to control it through pranayams and meditation.

3. Stress relief and boosting energy levels

The cortisone level is controlled so is the stress level. One can manage life and relationships. It gives benefits of stress relief by being physically and mentally active. Hence it boosts energy levels. Dance yoga helps to attain peace.

4. Flexibility, leading to less injury

Yin yoga helps to improve flexibility. In this form of yoga, you have to hold a posture for 5-10 minutes which in turn helps to improve flexibility. When talking about injuries, they often happen due to a lack of flexibility. Power yoga to helps in flexibility, but yin yoga does better.

5. Improves immunity

Concentrating on each pose and breathing technique helps to increase the oxygen levels in the body and hence helps improve immunity to combat diseases.

6. Brings inner peace

With adequate yoga practice, an individual attains inner peace and learns to live in the present moment and not be drawn into worldly affairs which are not in their control.

7. Better relationships

With less irritation and acceptance of a situation, yoga helps to improve relationships among people. After all, human beings are very social.

At Athena, Harsha includes meditation in yoga sequences and takes the students to a meditative phase. This helps as people don’t have so much time always to concentrate on all forms of yoga individually. It is not just about being in a typical posture, it is also about looking inwards. “I ask my clients to just close their eyes and hold a single posture and delve deep within. If it is not possible for them, then I ask them to focus on the soft music playing in the background. Hence at the end of a 30-minute yoga session, a person achieves physical fitness, mentally too they experience bliss,” she said.

Yoga is all about feeling happy, each part of the body experiences happiness. Often someone with back pain or knee pain finds the pain has substantially reduced at the end of a class as they are not just focusing on physical fitness, but also meditating while performing yoga. People from the age of 16 to 60 attend Happy Yoga with Harsha as she believes it is never too late to begin yoga. Many of them who join have seen results. Whether it is delaying the menopause date or problems related to polycystic ovaries, yoga is the answer to it. Within 4-6 months a woman can see benefits. It helps to control pregnancy problems as well.

Let’s not forget the benefits of yoga for men. Footballers and other sportsmen benefit from yoga in terms of flexibility and mental stress relief, as in sports there is a lot of mobility and flexibility is needed in their bodies. A calm and composed mind helps to handle the pressures of the game. Some office-going men also need a stress buster and relief from neck and back pain due to sitting at their desks for long periods.