• About
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Write for us
  • Contact
  • Terms of service
Sunday, May 29, 2022
The Millennial Source
TMS
Home Lifestyle

Mental health hacks with yoga instructor Goni Jung

byJimin Leeand Edited byChristine Dulion
March 26, 2022
in Lifestyle
Goni Jung yoga

Source: Goni Jung

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linkedin

Throughout the COVID pandemic, an increasing amount of people have turned to yoga to stay physically and mentally fit. As restrictions and closures have interfered with our lifestyles and normal routines, people have sought ways to stay active from home. 

Yoga is an ancient practice that originated in India, and it’s well known for having beneficial effects on our physical and mental well-being. On top of this, yoga doesn’t require expensive equipment and can be done in a small space, making it perfect for those of us stuck at home right now.

Depending on the type of yoga and its associated philosophy, the different postures and breathing techniques allow us to explore our bodies and minds in new ways, offering us periods of stillness that act as an opportunity to face our problems and thoughts head-on.

TMS spoke with Goni Jung, a yoga instructor at Rosewood Hong Kong’s wellbeing lifestyle community, Asaya, to learn how yoga can improve our mental health.

Jung’s journey to yoga

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Goni 🇰🇷📍🇭🇰🇬🇧🇰🇷 (@goni.jung)

“When I was in Korea in my early 20s, I was part of a swimming training group there,” Jung recalls. “I came across yoga classes being offered in the same facility, so I gave it a go. 

A brief scroll through Jung’s Instagram page reveals she is no newbie when it comes to practicing yoga. In fact, she’s like a duck to water. “It was love at first downward dog,” explains Jung. “I realized I had a natural gift as the yoga teacher assumed I was a teacher myself.”

This serendipitous encounter led Jung to start practicing and teaching yoga in several different countries while exploring its various styles and methodologies. There are many different types of yoga – from Ashtanga yoga, popular for being challenging and requiring strong athletic skills, to restorative yoga, which focuses on a few poses for increased flexibility and stress relief. Although Jung enjoys all forms of yoga, she does have a favorite style.

“My favorite of all is alignment based yoga, as we can build physical strength, balance and flexibility all at the same time,” explains Jung. “It also allows us to build mental strength, which is so beneficial to other parts of life.”

Getting started

Like many people who have had to adjust to more time spent at home, Jung has developed her own daily mental health routine. “I believe we get joy from the little things in life – feeling gratitude, having your favorite milk tea, quick meditation or stretching and so on,” she says. “For me, [it’s] morning yoga, music, surrounding myself with plants, making healthy snacks. It sounds simple, and perhaps it is. If we only get satisfaction and happiness for the bigger things, then our daily lives will be less fulfilling.”

Jung introduced us to a beginner’s yoga pose, the Balasana (child’s pose), which we can practice at home to relieve stress. Beneficial to both the lymphatic and nervous systems, Jung says this pose will help calm your mind and release stress while stretching your body and relieving neck and back pain.

“Start by kneeling down and sitting on your heels,” she says. “Now, bend forward till your [belly] touches your thighs. Let your hands rest on the side. Hold this position as long as possible and breathe deeply,” Jung explains.

Mental and physical well-being

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Goni 🇰🇷📍🇭🇰🇬🇧🇰🇷 (@goni.jung)

“Yoga definitely makes me become more positive, grounded and centered after my practice, and this positive energy I cultivate affects those around me. When I’m happy, I become a better person to others and build stronger relationships with my people,” explains Jung.

The benefits of yoga can, of course, vary for different people. While some may say that yoga rewards us with healing or improved physique, muscle strength, flexibility, health and more, many also vouch for how yoga helps reduce stress.

“When we feel physically fit and healthy, it positively affects our mood,” explains Jung. “We become more vibrant and happy. We also build patience and endurance doing challenging poses, so it can also make us build mental strength in life. Ultimately, mental strength has so much more power to influence a wider set of outcomes than physical strength.

“Yoga helps us focus better and become more mindful of things we do, creating more clarity and calmness, relaxing the mind and becoming more grateful.”

Have a tip or story? Get in touch with our reporters at [email protected]

Like TMS? Subscribe to our free daily newsletter

Related

Tags: HealthHong KongLifestyletravel
ShareTweetShare

Latest Posts

Fav: On AIr

Get to know visual podcast channel Fav: On Air

May 26, 2022
Hong Kong customs

Hong Kong customs seizes illegal smoking products worth millions after e-cigarette ban

May 26, 2022
Hong Kong COVID

Hong Kong border controls “unlikely” to be relaxed before June 30 amid “significant amount” of imported cases, says Lam

May 25, 2022

Artist Jana Benitez on art, emotion and connection in the human experience

May 24, 2022

Wil Fang: The man behind the cookie, how he rolls with the punches and his plans outside of food and the city

May 21, 2022

Rare monkeypox cases detected in the US, Europe and UK. Here’s what you need to know

May 20, 2022

Hong Kong authorities are thinking of banning Telegram. Here’s what you need to know

May 18, 2022

Hong Kong railway enthusiasts rush to board the newly-opened cross-harbor section at dawn

May 16, 2022

Hong Kong Dog Rescue’s mission to save shelter dogs across the city

May 15, 2022

SUBSCRIBE TO THE TMS NEWSLETTER

By providing your email, you agree to our Privacy Policy

The Millennial Source Ltd. 2021

No Result
View All Result
  • Your daily briefing
  • About us
  • Explore
    • Startups
    • Climate change
    • Tech giants
    • Crypto
    • The future of work
    • Banking giants
    • Economy
  • Lifestyle
  • TMS archives
  • Write for us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy & Terms

© 2022 The Millennial Source Ltd.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

string(24) "jsonld single post debug"
The Millennial Source
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.