Find your way to a healthy mind and body with yoga

Pranav Desai from The Art of Living Foundation gives five reasons why yoga should be on your resolution list this year.

It is that time of the year when most of us pull out those personal diaries lying somewhere covered in dust and chalk out a resolution plan -- for our family, for ourselves, for a healthy body and a stress-free mind.

To implement the last two easily we suggest you include yoga practice on your list. Here are five good reasons why yoga should be one of your resolutions this year.

1. For improved flexibility

How many times have we, knowingly or unknowingly, massaged our hurting back? Many times we try to reach for a jar and end up getting a muscle pull.

Are we aging? The answer is "always".

In this world of quick fixes, fast food and speeding cars, we seem to have forgotten our traditional practices and ignored the fact that a stitch in time saves nine.

A few gentle body stretches or some quick rounds of Surya Namaskar in the morning can work wonders for your body. Soon enough you will start feeling that your body has become more flexible and that reaching for the jar is just another child's play!

Yoga practice helps develop the body and mind, bringing a lot of health benefits, yet is not a substitute for medicine. It is important to learn and practice yoga techniques under the supervision of a trained teacher. In case of any medical condition, practice yoga techniques after consulting a doctor.

2. For a fitter body

Most of you would have 'going to the gym' or 'cycling' or 'reducing my waistline' on your resolution list. Yoga can help take care of all your weight-related concerns. A few minutes of Kapalbharti Pranayam everyday could surprise your tailor at your waistline measurement when you visit him next!

Surya Namaskar – a series of different yoga poses which work on the core muscles of your body –is a complete body workout and a few quick rounds everyday would not only leave you fresh and energetic but also help you lose an inch or two.

3. For a sharp mind to make sharp decisions

A hasty decision may sometimes lead to undesired results. Some decisions require you to sit, think and re-strategize yourself. Yoga practices help you become a wiser and calmer person. You become capable of taking the right call at the right time without wasting time on re-strategizing.

4. For detoxification

Yoga works best when practiced over a period of time. It is only with consistent practice that its benefits become evident.

Detoxification of the entire body is one such benefit. Regular yoga practice helps release stress and toxins deeply stored in the system. As such, you can look forward to a younger-looking healthy body, a peaceful mind and a refreshing personality.

Discover the new you with yoga.

5. For overall health

Blood pressure, diabetes, anxiety, improper sleep, stress, osteoporosis– yoga has answers to all these. The saying goes: Prevention is better than cure. Yoga can be your prevention step. Several researches have been conducted on how yoga helps cope with various health issues.

Yoga practice helps develop the body and mind, bringing a lot of health benefits, yet is not a substitute for medicine. It is important to learn and practice yoga techniques under the supervision of a trained teacher. In case of any medical condition, practice yoga techniques after consulting a doctor.