Yoga for hair growth: Benefits and postures to follow

Yoga is a combination of physical, mental and spiritual activities or techniques that developed in ancient India to control and soothe the mind. Yoga will help you identify a detached witness-consciousness unaffected by the mind or daily hardships. Yoga focuses on bringing the mind and body into harmony. It is both an art and science of living a healthy lifestyle. The term 'Yoga' comes from the Sanskrit word 'Yuj' which means to join or to unite. Breathing techniques, meditation, and poses or asanas that stretch and flex specific muscle groups are also included. These asanas are intended to promote relaxation and stress reduction.

Yoga has numerous health benefits on a broad level. This ancient discipline, which is also a way of life, is recognized to protect not only one's emotional and mental health but also to treat skin and hair problems. If you are sick of your hair problems, there are a few yoga postures or asanas that can assist. Yoga for hair growth and healthy hair has gained a lot of traction around the world as a result of the positive outcomes it appears to produce. Yoga asanas will help in hair stimulation and it also reduces hair loss and improve the overall health of your hair.

Benefits of practicing yoga for your hair

Hair loss has become a part of everyone's life as a result of rising stress levels, wrong lifestyle habits, poor eating choices and genetic problems. Yoga can defend against hair loss and promote hair growth in two ways;

1) Yoga reduces stress

According to studies, excessive stress can cause hair loss. Excessive stress can influence the function of the immune system and significantly reduces hair growth. Yoga helps with stress management, mental health, mindfulness, healthy eating and good sleep. Yoga assists in lowering serum cortisol levels, which are linked to high-stress levels. It also helps in lowering inflammatory indicators in the body when practiced daily. These could potentially lessen the impact of stress on the body, lowering the risk of hair loss.

2) Yoga stimulates blood flow to the scalp

Yoga can help to prevent hair loss by increasing blood flow to the scalp. But it is crucial to remember that yoga only stimulates blood flow to the scalp temporarily.

Yoga asanas to follow for healthy hair

1) Adho Mukha Svanasana

Adho Mukha Svanasana also known as the downward dog pose or downward-facing stance is one of the 12 poses performed during the Surya Namaskar. It is a strengthening and stretching pose that can help you achieve better balance and flexibility throughout your entire body. It also improves blood circulation and as a result, there is more oxygen reaching the scalp which encourages hair growth. This asana also has several other physical advantages. It aids in the relaxation of the mind, as well as the rejuvenation and energization of the body. Just make sure you practice it carefully and attentively.

How to practice: Begin by standing in a straight dog position with all four limbs. Your elbows and knees should be straight. Push the hips out the stomach inwards to form an inverted "V" shape. Legs should be hip-width apart and hands should have a shoulder's distance in between them. Extend your neck and press your palms to the ground. Stay in this position for a few breaths. This is one of the most effective yoga asanas for preventing hair loss and increasing blood flow to the scalp.

2) Kapalbhati

Kapalbhati is a term derived from two Sanskrit words; Kapala, which means skull and Bhati, which means light. It is a rejuvenating, cleansing and invigorating mind-body exercise. Kapalbhati is a cleansing procedure that has a lot of advantages. The internal organs are cleansed and blood circulation is improved by the rhythmic breathing and stomach movements. This breathing exercise aids in the removal of toxins from the entire head or face region, hence improving oxygen supply and lowering free radicals, allowing hair growth. It also aids in the reduction of stress and anxiety, both of which contribute to hair loss.

How to practice: Sit in a crossed leg stance by keeping your back, neck and head straight. Relax all of your muscles by placing your hands on your knees, palms facing up. Inhale deeply, then exhale completely, contracting your abdominal muscles. Do this for a few minutes at a time.

3) Balasana

Balasana or a child's pose is a rejuvenating asana. It is beneficial to the ankles and it extends the entire back magnificently. The mind calms and cools as a result of this tremendous stress alleviation. The neurological system regenerates, which has a favorable influence on the adrenal and reproductive glands. As a result, our hair health will improve and hair growth will be stimulated.

How to practice: Sit with your knees folded and your legs touching your hips. Exhale and bend down with your core until your forehead and palms are touching the ground. Inhale, stretch your hands upwards, and then exhale and bend down with your core until your forehead and palms are touching the ground. It's much better if you can rest your elbows on the ground. Stay in this pose for 30 seconds to one minute, focusing on your breathing.

4) Sarvangasana

Sarvangasana, often known as the shoulder stand, is a full-body exercise that targets many muscles groups. It aids in the improvement of balance and posture. This asana improves blood circulation in the head. The stance has a long-term effect on your hair, and it is especially excellent for dry and thin hair.

How to practice: Make a 90-degree angle with your legs by lying on your back against a wall. Then, lift your hips off the ground and balance your entire body on your shoulders, using your hands as support.

5) Sirsasana

Sirsasana, also known as the headstand promotes blood circulation in the scalp, which aids in the prevention of hair loss, thinning and balding. The flow of blood is not hindered by the bend of the neck in this stance, resulting in a great increase in blood flow to the brain. The pituitary and pineal glands both benefit from this. It has a calming effect on the nervous system and beneficially increases lymphatic movement. All of this adds up to a significant benefit for your hair and makes it stronger.

How to practice: Kneel and place your palms behind your head, interlocked. Now, stoop down and place your forehead on the ground. Raise your legs slowly to stand upside down perpendicular to the floor, supporting the crown of your head with your interlocked hands. Keep your arms straight and your legs close together. Try to keep your balance for a few seconds after your body is solid in this stance.

6) Vajrasana

Vajrasana, also known as the diamond pose is the only asana that is done after taking a meal. It aids digestion, straightens the spine and calms the back. It directly addresses the stomach issues. Vajrasana aids in the relief and healing of many of these ailments, as well as improving digestion. This is important for hair growth as nutrients are absorbed more efficiently by the body when digestion is good. Maintaining a nutritious diet is vital for long, thick and healthy hair.

How to practice: Kneel and sit on your feet, your neck and back straight and your heels close together. Maintain a steady position with your hands on your thighs, palms down, and your head and gaze straight. Maintain that position for at least 30 seconds, taking deep and long breaths throughout.