Yoga and mental health go hand in hand!

When most people in the United States hear the word yoga, they think about the physical practice of yoga and doing yoga for exercise. Physical yoga poses, or asanas, are just one part of what yoga is however. And certain styles of yoga such as hatha yoga are slower paced and relaxing. 

Yoga originated in India over 5,000 years ago. The word yoga means "union" and has been defined as a state of being in which someone is in union with their own mind, body, and spirit, and is connected with a higher power.  Within the school of Raja Yoga, yoga is defined as "mastery of the modifications of the mind". What does this mean? Basically, that the purpose of yoga is to quiet the mind, which leads to less mental chatter and being more present.

As we practice asana, meditation, pranayama (breath work) and more, I believe it's important to acknowledge that yoga is an entire culture and way of being that we are lucky enough to be borrowing from!

National Alliance on Mental Illness - https://www.nami.org/Home

Mental Health America - https://mhanational.org/

Affordable counseling - https://openpathcollective.org/ 

Search for a therapist - https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists

Services in PA - pa211.org

Philly -

https://healthymindsphilly.org/resources/

https://philadelphiafamilyvoices.com/

https://www.mentalhealthpartnerships.org/resources

https://philadelphia.pa.networkofcare.org/mh/support/index.aspx?tab=local