Multi-talented yoga:

They are called dog, tree, cobra or warrior. And many now swear by their effect. We're talking about yoga poses. Whether practiced alone in the living room or with a group of like-minded people in the wild - this teaching, which originated in India, is becoming increasingly popular. No wonder, because yoga is said to be healthy and have a positive effect on the body and mind. But what's behind it and why should we swap running shoes, dumbbells and the like for a yoga mat more often? We have looked into this question and highlight the benefits of this activity.  

Not all yoga is the same

Anyone taking up yoga for the first time should know one thing in advance: Not all yoga is the same; there are different forms. While some focus on physical exercises, others emphasize spiritual practices. And the asanas themselves, i.e. the physical postures, range from active, very strenuous poses to those that primarily stretch the body or aim to make you more aware of it. It is therefore important to find the yoga form that suits you best. In the beginning, it is also advisable to integrate shorter yoga sessions into your daily routine several times a week rather than just one long one. This way, you gradually get your body used to it.

Try yoga: the benefits of this teaching

"Practicing yoga removes the weeds from the body so that the garden can grow." - This quote goes back to the Indian yoga teacher B.K.S. Iyengar. And the so-called "weeds" can be anything and refer to both physical and mental factors. Because the fact is: yoga has a multifaceted effect on the body and mind. This is illustrated by the following list:

• Yoga strengthens the muscles: yoga exercises are varied and diverse and strengthen different muscle groups. This also means that if you combine asanas correctly, you can strengthen the entire body's muscles and not limit yourself to just one part of the body, as is the case with other sports. Fasciae and the spine also benefit from yoga. An all-round workout that should not be underestimated.
   
• Yoga increases flexibility: As already mentioned, some asanas focus on intensive stretching. This in turn not only relieves tension, but also makes us more flexible overall. And if you have a stronger and more agile body, you ultimately also prevent injuries. But beware: not every stretch works straight away - patience and regular practice are required.
   
• Yoga helps you lose weight: Every movement has a positive effect on digestion. And even if weight loss is not necessarily the focus of many yoga exercises, yoga stimulates blood circulation, strengthens and stretches the muscles and gets the whole body moving. Deep breathing in turn supplies more blood to internal organs in particular - and this boosts digestion. All in all, this results in a workout that can help with gentle weight loss in a natural way.
   
• Yoga reduces stress: practising yoga allows you to consciously focus on your body and breathing. This helps to switch off the mind so that problems recede into the distance. But deep breathing has other benefits too: The head is flooded with oxygen and the body is freed from stress hormones. And suddenly there is plenty of space - for new energy. Over time, yogis learn to focus on their breath, even in stressful everyday situations. In this way, they gain distance from negative thoughts and achieve inner peace. Sleep problems, which are often caused by stress, often disappear as a result.
   
• Yoga makes you more self-confident: if you can consciously and comprehensively perceive your own body, this improves your general body awareness. Yoga also teaches us to reduce mental tension. The exercises also make us walk more upright, appear more confident and become aware of our strengths. And all of this can have a positive effect on self-confidence.
   
• Yoga lifts the mood: the breathing exercises we learn, combined with an improved body awareness, good sleep and less stress, often lead to a generally more positive outlook on life. And yoga doesn't pretend to be anything, instead this teaching is about accepting yourself as you are, without judgment. This acceptance of your own being, combined with the joy of movement, has a mood-lifting effect and soon spills over into other areas of life.  
   
• Yoga detoxifies: Acidification and toxins are not good for our bodies. And yoga can also help here. On the one hand, toxins are eliminated via the skin - through the sweat-inducing asanas. Secondly, through the lungs - through deep breathing. The detoxification organs of the kidneys and liver are also enriched with blood and nutrients during yoga. The activity can also improve hormone balance.
   
• Yoga makes you more mindful: yogis focus more intensively on themselves - both in terms of their body and their mind. At the beginning, performing the asanas correctly still demands a lot from us, but at some point we master the exercises in our sleep and can concentrate on our breathing and our inner self. Then we start to think more about our lives, we become aware of negative things that we want to banish from our everyday lives from now on or we see other things in a more positive light.

Yoga on the mountain and by the lake

We have now outlined the extensive effects of yoga on the body and mind. But in order to immerse yourself in the world of yoga, you also need the right environment. First and foremost, this is your own home - a retreat where you can recharge your batteries for everyday life. But it can also be refreshing and inspiring to change your perspective and broaden your horizons in the truest sense of the word - for example with yoga at the Seehotel Jägerwirt. Where magical stone pine forests meet gentle mountain peaks. Where picturesque panoramas meet moments of tranquillity. And where clear air meets clear thoughts. What are you waiting for?