While most of us still understand the importance of lockdown and why we are doing it, it is starting to take its toll on many of us. The worry over our health and the health of our loved ones, the stress of going shopping and picking up even the most basic essentials, being furloughed from work and perhaps not even sure if and when we will be going back to work all add to the stress. On top of that, we are having to stay away from our family and friends, and boredom is well and truly kicking in. People around the world are finding new activities and hobbies to keep themselves entertained. One of the most common is yoga. Why has this ancient practice suddenly become so popular?
It is simple to get into
When we think of yoga, we often have visions of people bending and twisting themselves into all sorts of weird and wonderful shapes. It is impressive, but for the average newbie, pretty impossible. However, yoga is surprisingly straightforward to get into, no matter how old you are or what sort of fitness level you are at. The great thing about not being able to go to a real-life yoga class is that you can use online classes to get to grips with the basics in the comfort and privacy of your own home. You never know, when life is back to normal, you could be one of the human pretzels in your local yoga class!
It strengthens your body
Has lockdown got you reaching for the biscuits a little more than usual? Maybe you have dropped your usual fitness routine and are starting to feel the slump. Well, fear not, yoga is a great way to build up your core strength and help maintain flexibility. If you are keeping up with exercise, yoga is a great complementary exercise.
It soothes the mind
Yoga is so much more than physical exercise; it nourishes the mind as well. We are all under huge amounts of stress at the moment, so do some research into how often to do yoga and help to relax your mind and ease any worries and fears that you have at the moment.
It is cheap
Yoga requires very little in terms of equipment. Theoretically, you can do it with nothing at all, but at the most, all you need is a simple yoga mat and ball, both of which can be picked up cheaply. You don’t need any fancy clothes – comfortable loose clothing or leggings and a t-shirt will do the trick, especially if you are doing it from the comfort of your own home.
It makes you feel good
Take our word for it and try it – a few minutes of yoga will leave you feeling strong, refreshed and relaxed, which is why it has become such a popular activity for adults and children alike during these stressful times. Find a yoga video online and give it a whirl!