Although it is a physical activity, it’s been scientifically proven that yoga benefits not only our body but also our mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing – thus improving our overall quality of life. According to an article published in the Harvard Health Publishing of the Harvard Medical School, “Early evidence suggests that yoga may even slow aging on the cellular level… What makes these findings so exciting is that they suggest that a regular yoga practice can improve multiple areas of your life at once, creating positive feedback loops that can further promote health”.

So, what’s the secret of this ancient practice? It’s simple: yoga is all about focusing the attention on the body in the present moment. Once learned, this focus is applied to all areas of life positively affecting our body, mind, and emotional state.

Countless Types

Over the 5,000 years or so that passed since its creation, many types of yoga were developed; so many that no one knows the exact number. Here are three of the most popular ones.

1. Hatha Yoga

In Sanskrit, hatha describes the physical postures (or asana) of yoga. But in western society, hatha is a comprehensive term used to describe all the yoga types that are based in physical practice. Such yoga practices are the most popular and include well known sypes, such as Iyengar and Ashtanga. Hatha is recommended for beginners as the pace is slower than other yoga types and includes holding a pose for a few breaths.

2. Iyengar Yoga

B.K.S. Iyengar founded this type, which focuses on correcting the alignment of the body and is perfect for people suffering from injury or joint issues. Iyengar practitioners put a lot of emphasis on the subtleties of each pose, while poses are held for longer than in other yoga types.

3. Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga is perfect for those who are looking for a more dynamic and athletic practice. Naturally, this type is very popular among celebrities and is very physically demanding. It’s a repetitive practice that involves six series of postures, which are repeated at each practice.

Yoga Poses for Glowing Skin

One of the many perks of yoga is its effect on our skin. Some yoga poses are particularly beneficial for our skin as they improve blood circulation to the face, which increases nutrient supply and clears out more toxins.

Here are two relatively easy poses for a more radiant skin. Both should be practiced 4-5 times a week.

Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand)

1. Lie flat on your back.
2. Inhale and raise your legs, buttocks and upper body from the floor.
3. Use your hands to support your lower back while your body balances on your shoulders.
4. Move elbows closer together and gently slide your arms on your back a few inches towards your shoulder blades.
5. Balance your body on your arms and shoulders, not your back and neck.
6. Hold for 10-20 seconds while breathing deeply.

Utthanasana

1. Stand straight placing your hands on your hips.
2. Bend your hip joints forward while exhaling, heels firmly on the ground.
3. Place your hands on the floor on both sides of your legs.
4. Hold for 1 minute.