<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; You have probably seen a lot of research out there about yoga and how it is seen as being magical for mental health.&nbsp; Does science line up with that claim, though?&nbsp; What is the actual connection between it, and how is it best understood as far as mental health treatment in children and adults, alike?</p> <p><strong>The science behind yoga</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; There will be endless articles that explain how yoga helps you relax and enjoy life more, but how does that actually happen?&nbsp; Yoga is a meeting of your mind and your body.&nbsp; The entire focus of yoga, when done correctly, is to focus on your body moving through the stretches and paying attention to how your body feels in holding those poses.&nbsp; Whether you are a beginner or an experienced yoga student, the focus is much the same.</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Biologically, stretching our rarely used muscles and also overtired muscles promotes better circulation and muscle relaxation in the body.&nbsp; Yoga physically forces the body to relax and take a beat.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This is similar to the mind, since doing yoga the &ldquo;right&rdquo; way means keeping your attention to the instructor and/or the movements, rather than daydreaming about supper or your weekend plans.&nbsp; This will simultaneously relax your body, and your mind, forcing you to enjoy the current moment and forget the troubles of the world.</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The science, then, is that your body and mind both take on a slower pace and both are able to relax and actually enjoy life in the moment.&nbsp; Regular yoga can have positive effects on physical details like blood pressure and cardiovascular health, as well as improve overall clarity and mood.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>The effectiveness in yoga in children and adults</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; When you look at the research empirically, that sounds pretty good.&nbsp; But does it translate to actual results in everyday people?&nbsp; Are these kinds of scientific &ldquo;facts&rdquo; actually perceived when it comes to study and analysis?</p> <ul> <li><strong>Yoga&rsquo;s effectiveness in children:</strong> Children see benefits of yoga, blending physical and mental together firmly.&nbsp; Physically, yoga makes kids stronger and can increase physical endurance when it comes to the idea of sitting in classrooms for longer periods of time without a break.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> There are also emotional and mental advantages with yoga practiced in school settings.&nbsp; It increases mood overall and can help children learn how to effectively reduce stress through focusing on the techniques taught in yoga classes to do just that.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> This data implies that yoga programs in school can have advantages to physical and mental health in children.</li> <li><strong>Yoga&rsquo;s effectiveness in adults: </strong>Adults often see most of the benefits for yoga as far as emotional health.&nbsp; Doing yoga regularly can help improve mood, sense of self, and improve their overall self-confidence level.&nbsp; While there are physical benefits to yoga, especially for those who struggle with blood pressure, most benefits are seen in adults through emotional and mental clarity.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The reality is that yoga can absolutely be a positive influence on physical, mental, and emotional health in children and adults.&nbsp; The key is proper, scheduled focus on it, and the reality that it is not a &ldquo;cure&rdquo; for mental health problems, but rather a helpful tool!</p> <p>Sources</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2014.00035/full?report=reader">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2014.00035/full?report=reader</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=319177">https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=319177</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/9-benefits-of-yoga">https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/9-benefits-of-yoga</a></li> </ul>