Four Signs You Could Benefit from Regular Yoga Sessions

Our body and mind have subtle ways of telling us when we’re overworked or nearing burnout or if we simply need a break. For many, that’s what yoga is, a break from a hectic work schedule, the endless list of chores on your list or the daily commute. Yoga is your daily change to take time out for you and we promise your body and mind will thank you for it. Here’s four not so subtle signs it’s time to hit the mat.

You’re Stressed Out

Stress often occurs when you take on too much, spin too many plates and overload your schedule. When you have a busy day packed with tasks to do, yoga or any time for yourself is often the first one to be sacrificed when time is of the essence. When you’re racing against time trying to tick off those tasks, taking time out to relax can feel counterproductive but we all know the restorative power of yoga and sometimes taking a break can be the most productive thing you can do. You’ll come away from your yoga session feeling refuelled, rebalanced and ready to tackle the rest of your day.

You Can’t Focus

Sometimes it’s not our bodies that signal something is wrong, it’s our minds. If you find yourself struggling to focus on a particular task, it’s likely you’ve got too much on your mind and an inability to concentrate is a sign that burn out is near. It’s hard to focus on one thing when your mind is trying to pull your attention to a hundred things at once. Practising yoga is an excellent way to quieten that inner monkey mind - Chitta Vritti and afterwards, you will find you can think with clarity.

You’re Snappy

Letting your emotions get the better of you is something we’ve all experienced. When your stress levels rise and you feel overwhelmed with the tasks you face each day, you can become irritable with those around you. Yoga can combat this as when we move our bodies and focus on our breathing, we not only relax but benefit from those feel-good endorphins that make us happy and relaxed.

You’re Tense

If you find yourself noticing all too often that your jaw is clenched, your shoulders are almost touching your ears and your back is rigid, these are all signs that it’s time to take some time for you. Holding your body this way is reminiscent of being in flight or flight mode and this can cause you to feel permanently stressed. The primitive part of our brains use this response when reacting to fear or the emotion closest to this, anxiety. If you are anxious, your body is telling your brain there is something to fear and the fight or flight response is triggered. Yoga is a soothing practise that can switch off this fight or flight response and help you relax and reset. 

Could you benefit from regular yoga sessions?