Stress Response - how yoga can help.

Does anybody notice the calm and contented feeling we get after a good old yoga session? Ever wondered what the reason behind this is?

It goes without saying that the tasks and challenges of everyday life can prove a little bit stressful. In fact, it has been found that almost half a million people in the UK have work related stress often resulting in illness. So wouldn’t it be great if there was a simple and fun way to de-stress?

According to scientists, yoga can significantly reduce levels of cortisol, our hormone responsible for stress. Research conducted by Thomas Jefferson Medical College, who monitored participants before and after a yoga class, found that there was a significant decrease in cortisol levels after the class.

So how does this work? It’s thought that the deep breathing we do in yoga creates something called ‘the relaxation response’, which reduces muscle tension and deactivates our stress response. The focus on breathing throughout each yoga session, as well as short meditation sessions, help to slow down our heart rate and calm us down, as well as taking our mind away from stresses and worries that may be in our thoughts.

So next time you’re feeling stressed, why not unroll your yoga mat and enjoy a well-earned yoga session