Benefits of Yoga and Pilates during exam time

Exams are upon us once more.

For many students, this can be quite a stressful and wearing period to cope with. Long nights that involve sinking your head into a text book for hours on end, despite re-reading the same paragraph over and over. You’ve guzzled down four coffees and all that has been achieved is spiking your anxiety levels to a new high.

Continuing this routine will not only increase your stress levels, but it may also lead to poor exam results. Thankfully, there is a way to conquer this stagnant and draining regime of yours.

The answer…exercise.

This may seem like obvious and cliché advice, but the evidence is there. And we’re not talking about going for a 10km run, or completing a full body gym session; we’re suggesting Yoga and Pilates.

Yoga and Pilates are both forms of exercise that engage your mind and body. For students entrenched in exams, being able to engage your mind and remove your conscious thinking away from study will do wonders for your mental health.

But what exactly is Yoga and Pilates you might be asking.

YOGA

Yoga is an ancient form of meditation that involves engaging the body and the mind. According to Yoga Medicine, “Yoga is a place of discovery and connection with your own body that encompasses balance, proper stretching techniques, breathing, meditation and centering the mind and spirit.”

The true power of Yoga is the ability to disconnect yourself from the everyday stresses in your lives. And for many of you reading this, those stresses will be exams and studying.

There are 13 types of Yoga according to Yoga Medicine, however at UNSW Fitness & Aquatic Centre, we offer Hatha and Vinyasa Flow Yoga. Both forms of Yoga provide their own unique benefits, so it might be best to do some research (I know not more studying) and find out which style is best for you.

PILATES

Pilates is well known to increase muscle strength, improve flexibility/posture and to help lose weight. However, Pilates also has a wide range of mental health benefits, including: stress management and relaxation, improving memory, regulating brain function and reducing anxiety levels.

Pilates is often referred to as the system of “contrology” because it requires intense concentration for bodily control. The focus needed to complete these exercises means that your mind is now focused on your body and not on studying, therefore reducing your stress levels.

Pilates is another class offered at UNSW FAC for people of all experience levels.

So, if you’re looking for a way to reduce stress, lower fatigue levels and help increase your mental focus; then we highly recommend trying out Yoga and Pilates.

Visit our group fitness schedule to book in your first class or get in touch to learn more and help nail those exams!