8-Benefits of Yoga and Holistic Wellness

When you think of holistic wellness what comes to mind? Is it self-care? Is it eating and sleeping regularly? Or is it hanging out with your friends?

What many fail to realize is that holistic wellness is an encapsulation of your entire life and all facets that you hold daily. There are numerous schools of thought of what “holistic wellness” includes, but typically they are comprised of eight crucial parts in one’s life: physical, emotional, social, spiritual, intellectual, occupational, financial and environmental.

Finding activities or routines to best support all these areas can be tough and taxing. Typically, not one thing will benefit all these areas at once, so we must practice different skills to nurture these eight areas of holistic wellness. However, many of the practices we do participate in can attend to all eight pillars of holistic wellness if we can frame them in such a way. One practice that has notable popularity and is easily accessible is yoga.

Although originating in Eastern medicine and practice, Western society has made yoga practice more available to all. Many yogis have scrutinized the popularization and westernization of yoga; however, its many ideals can be translated to meet and adjust to very specific lifestyles that American culture has generated.

Yoga has universal benefits if practiced correctly and consistently. Many people may not feel “fit enough” or “flexible enough” to participate in, but truly yoga is a very personalized exercise and can be adjusted to absolutely everyone. Another concern is that many do not feel patient enough for yoga, but again the greatest thing about this practice is that it can be tailored to the needs of each individual physical and mental ability.

With that being said, let’s explain how yoga as a practice can help everyone achieve holistic wellness:

1.         Physical: First and foremost, yoga has obvious physical wellness benefits. Not only does it support increased flexibility and strength but there are benefits to oxygen circulation for blood and lungs. Yoga’s physical supports are obvious and self-spoken for but don’t forget the benefits of releasing toxins and losing weight.  

2.         Emotional: Yoga creates a safe space. Whether practicing at home or in a studio the goal of practicing yoga is to clear your mind and focus on your body. In these deep moments of inhaling and exhaling, we can be setting intentions to release negative thoughts or harmful feelings. By channeling our energies into a different mindset and releasing certain emotions, we are creating a platform for a healthy emotional pillar.

3.         Social: As mentioned before, yoga can be done in the comfort of your home OR in a studio full of other yogis. Both practices are perfect for nurturing your social wellness. Whether that is to connect with others or take a break from the outside world, yoga provides a space to foster that time and find balance in your social life.

4.         Spiritual: Truly it does not matter if you are religious or spiritual. Although yoga has been a daily practice of some religions, it is not only specified as such. Similar to emotional wellness, yoga creates a space of peace and interconnectedness which can include to a higher power or being. When practicing, its essential to try and connect with our inner power and how it relates to our spiritual belief. During a long stretch or even your final Savasana pose (which is lying down in a relaxed position) take a moment to say a prayer or give gratitude to your spiritual self.

5.         Intellectual: This may seem repetitive, but this is a time to relax! So, like emotional and spiritual wellness, you are providing a time for yourself to shut down all your preconceived notions and thoughts and give yourself a break. During your yoga practice pivot your thoughts inward and focus on nourishing your body rather than hyper-focusing on multiple areas in your life.

6.         Occupational: Through practicing yoga, many have found a quiet space to decompress and relieve stress. Thus, being a major area of improvement for some yogis is job satisfaction or even clarity. Yoga practice is tied to emotional and intellectual wellness, so with clarity of these areas, occupational wellness has a space to be fostered and cared for as well.

7.         Financial: The greatest part of yoga is its universal application and rise in popularity. With that being said, it’s one of many practices that can be found in many communities. So, whether you are paying into a yoga specific studio or practicing from home by following along a YouTube video, yoga can have financial wellness benefits.

8.         Environmental:  Finally, yoga and environmental wellness is dependent upon where one would like to apply their practice. A truly flexible advantage of yoga is that it can be practiced indoors or outdoors. By having moments of calmness and mindfulness, yogis can have space to honor and nurture their appreciation of Earth’s natural resources and the space that is provided to them.

**Please note: when practicing yoga, find a pace that works for you. There are so many teachers and classes that can adjust to each person’s lifestyle. And lastly, do not take yourself too seriously while practicing yoga, but note that yoga in itself is a daily practice for some, so do try to respect each person’s practice and effort.**

**** Written for Meridian Counseling by: Jessica Dirk, ACSW Registered Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW 81562)

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Phone: (626) 759-4461

Email: jdirks2692@gmail.com

Website: jessicadirkstherapy.com

Supervised by: Sandra Kushnir, LMFT (99225)