According to the CDC, yoga has been on the rise in the U.S. since 2017. It is especially popular among those who are white and between 18-44 years of age. However, it has been deemed beneficial across different races, ages, cultures, and ethnicities!

UNDERSTANDING ANXIETY AND STRESS

Many people have learned to use yoga as a means to cope with their anxiety and stress instead of taking medication. But, in oder to understand how yoga helps those with anxiety, we first need to understand anxiety.

Anxiety comes in many different forms including: general anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety, and phobias. The overall concept of anxiety is when you have “worrying lasts for 6 months or more and interferes with daily activities, in absence of life changes” (CDC, 2023). In addition to the worry, many people also experience restlessness, agitation, muscle tightness, trouble sleeping, and difficulty concentrating.

It is important to keep in mind that if you are constantly experiencing these symptoms they can increase your level of stress, and scheduling a meeting with a mental health professional is needed.

Yoga is an ancient practice that derives from Indian philosophy. It was originally a spiritual practice, but has transformed to focus more on physical posture (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation (dyane). Honing in on the pranayama and dyane techniques have allowed those experiencing stress and anxiety an opportunity to calm their thoughts, control their breathing, and slow down their heart rate to reach a point of relaxation.

Yoga is a practice that all groups of people can participate. No matter your age, physical or mental state, race, belief, or gender, yoga can be used to help minimize the symptoms of anxiety. However, it is important to note that yoga is not a “cure all” for anxiety or stress disorders. It can be used on top of support from family, therapy services, or medication to help minimize the symptoms and improve your quality of life.