THE ANCIENT PRACTICES TO HELP YOUR BODY AND MIND – AND MAKE LIFE EASIER

One of the amazing things about looking after our own well-being is that we can choose and – most importantly – vary the different strategies we adopt. That might depend on how we feel in that moment and what element of our physical, mental or emotional health we want to improve.

Just like constructing our own music playlist, we can curate our own bespoke list of activities that help us feel better – and we have the whole world to learn from.

It is easy to get stuck in the ideas or popular activities of the country we have grown up in, or of the culture and society we are a part of. But there is so much more to explore. Just like we travel the world to explore different places, so we can adventure into the world of well-being practices and find new things to try.

Starting anything new can be daunting – but if we understand what the activity is trying to achieve and the supporting evidence behind it, then we can feel less inhibited.

If you are looking for a new activity to try, why not consider one of these traditional Eastern practices?

Yoga

Originating in India, yoga is an ancient practice that combines asanas (physical postures and positions), breathing techniques (pranayama that can allow the nervous system to relax) and meditation (helping to achieve stillness and awareness of thoughts and feelings). The good news is that there are lots of different styles of yoga that you can try. There is evidence that regular yoga can help with physical flexibility and strength, as well as having a beneficial impact on high blood pressure, heart disease, depression and stress.

Don’t be put off by any preconceived thoughts about what yoga is, how you should dress for it, or equipment you might require; sometimes we can stop ourselves from trying a new activity because we worry we won’t be able to do it or we might be embarrassed to even try. But everyone starts somewhere. Think about maybe going with a friend, signing up to a beginner’s class or even trying a simple taster online. What have you got to lose?

Tai chi

Tai chi is an ancient Chinese martial art which combines intention, movement and breathing. It is often called “meditation in motion” as it consists of lots of different postures and positions that slowly flow into each other. It can improve muscular strength and flexibility as well as relaxation and posture. There is evidence it can reduce the risk of falls as we get older because it can improve balance.

Improved muscle strength can help reduce joint pain, for example for people with arthritis. Tai chi has also been found to relieve stress and improve concentration, as well as helping us link our mind and body. The brilliant thing about Tai chi is that it can be done sitting or standing, or as a combination. When starting anything new, have an open mind, start small, be consistent, and be patient with yourself.

Mindfulness meditation

Mindfulness meditation originated in India and was adapted into a modern psychology in the 20th century. The term used may sound complex but it simply means paying attention to the things we don’t normally notice; our thoughts, the sounds around us, sensations and feelings in or body and our breath. When our mind starts to wander – which it will do – we bring our attention back.

Evidence shows that when we practice mindfulness meditation, we experience less stress, improved focus and we are better able to manage our emotions, we can feel less anxious and our mood can be elevated. It can also help us to live more in the present rather than in the past or future which can give us a sense of satisfaction and connection.

There are lots of free, online, guided mindful meditations you can try and lots of apps that can help, or you could find a local group to join. Again, our mind may try to create obstacles around starting this, or judging ourselves if we find it challenging. Remember, trying something new is an adventure rather than an achievement, that habits take time to form and maybe not judging yourself when first starting is actually part of the practice.

2026-01-17T06:49:02Z