Some people with ADHD are leery of yoga. They think it requires the ability to concentrate and stay in the same position for extended periods of time, two skills that seem totally out of reach. But actually, yoga is really good for ADHDers. Numerous studies have indicated that practicing yoga increases attention while producing a significant drop in hyperactivity and tension. Sweet!
There are many different styles of yoga. Yes, some are sedate and involve holding poses for a really long time. But others will get your heart beating and make you sweat. My personal favorite is vinyasa. That’s yoga-speak for “flow”. It’s an active form of yoga that flows from one pose to the next.
One of the instructors at a studio here in Camp Hill shared with me that she used to have a lot of difficulty with racing thoughts, impulsivity, distraction, and even the occasional brain overload. That’s part of the reason she got into yoga two decades ago. “The breathwork really centers me,” she said.
Yes, it’s all about the breathwork. Learning to slowly and steadily breathe your way into a relaxed state during times of anxiety may be one of the greatest benefits of yoga for people with ADHD. Deep, focused breaths bring more oxygen to the brain, leading to improved concentration and increased alertness. And it calms you down. This is one of my favorite strategies for dealing with ADHD brain overload. Whenever I start to recognize the signs of overwhelm, I stop and focus on my breathing for a while. I learned that technique from practicing yoga.
If yoga is something you’d like to try, I highly recommend taking a class. A book or video can’t point out what you’re doing wrong, or help you integrate breathing into the poses. Contact a few nearby studios and find out what they offer. As I mentioned before, there are many different styles of yoga, and you want to make sure you find the right one for you.
Practicing yoga builds a connection between the body and the mind. It leads to a greater sense of awareness and self control. It helps you focus. And, it gives you a way to instantly reduce your stress level. All of which are perfect for those of us with ADHD.
There are many different styles of yoga. Yes, some are sedate and involve holding poses for a really long time. But others will get your heart beating and make you sweat. My personal favorite is vinyasa. That’s yoga-speak for “flow”. It’s an active form of yoga that flows from one pose to the next.
One of the instructors at a studio here in Camp Hill shared with me that she used to have a lot of difficulty with racing thoughts, impulsivity, distraction, and even the occasional brain overload. That’s part of the reason she got into yoga two decades ago. “The breathwork really centers me,” she said.
Yes, it’s all about the breathwork. Learning to slowly and steadily breathe your way into a relaxed state during times of anxiety may be one of the greatest benefits of yoga for people with ADHD. Deep, focused breaths bring more oxygen to the brain, leading to improved concentration and increased alertness. And it calms you down. This is one of my favorite strategies for dealing with ADHD brain overload. Whenever I start to recognize the signs of overwhelm, I stop and focus on my breathing for a while. I learned that technique from practicing yoga.
If yoga is something you’d like to try, I highly recommend taking a class. A book or video can’t point out what you’re doing wrong, or help you integrate breathing into the poses. Contact a few nearby studios and find out what they offer. As I mentioned before, there are many different styles of yoga, and you want to make sure you find the right one for you.
Practicing yoga builds a connection between the body and the mind. It leads to a greater sense of awareness and self control. It helps you focus. And, it gives you a way to instantly reduce your stress level. All of which are perfect for those of us with ADHD.
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