Science of Yoga by Ann Swanson to support the start of my own yoga practice. It covers the body, the systems, how they work, and how they are influenced by different asanas. I want to make sure my forms are beneficial and not harmful.
Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker. This book has become very popular again. It discusses what sleep is, the numerous roles it plays in our body and health, and the detrimental cost of not sleeping enough. This has given me even more motivation and information on why I should prioritize sleep each day for long term health.
I hope to become well rested and improve my mind-body connection.
Filling your blood with more oxygen through the proper breathing techniques will help your heart function better. Yoga is known for improving your heart rate variability (HRV) and lowering blood pressure. Since many people suffer from hypertension — heightened blood pressure — yoga allows them to take care of their cardiovascular system without much investment.
Yoga can also positively affect a person’s urinary system. Some diseases can cause an imbalance in the work of the urinary tract, but yoga takes control of this system and restores muscle tonus. Some researchers even note that yoga may indirectly influence a woman’s pelvis, increasing fertility.
Mindfulness improves our concentration and memory, lowering our fatigue and anxiety.
People usually think that since their minds are so busy, they cannot learn meditation. The author emphasizes that every person’s mind is full of thoughts all the time. You cannot stop thinking; it’s not how your brain works. Meditation is about observing your thoughts, watching them arise and fade. It teaches us how to manage stressful situations in life. People tend to have acute negative responses to specific issues, leading to health deterioration. That’s why it is essential to practice mindfulness and gain more composure in moments of stress.
Ann Swanson, the author of the book, is the daughter of a NASA scientist who taught her to take a scientific perspective on everything she d
