Benefits Of Yoga on our Lifestyle

Derived from the Sanskrit word “yuji,” meaning yoke or union, yoga is an ancient practice that brings together mind and body.

You've probably heard by now that yoga is good for your health. Maybe you've even tried it for yourself and discovered that it makes you feel better.

A consistent practice offers a plethora of mental and physical health benefits. Benefits including improved flexibility, mental clarity, and stress reduction, can be achieved.

"When put together, these benefits of yoga contribute to increased feelings of well-being, which helps explain why so many people find yoga so addictive."

Here are the top benefits of yoga and some poses to try to help you get the most out of your practice.

1) Can Decrease Stress

Yoga is known for its ability to ease stress and promote relaxation.

In fact, multiple studies have shown that it can decrease the secretion of cortisol, the primary stress hormone

2) Fosters Mental Calmness

Many people begin practicing yoga as a way to cope with feelings of anxiety.

Interestingly enough, there is quite a bit of research showing that yoga can help reduce anxiety. Concentrating on what your body is doing has the effect of bringing calmness to your mind.

3) Improves Flexibility and Balance

Moving your body and stretching in new ways will help you become more flexible, bringing a greater range of motion to tight areas. Over time, you can expect to gain flexibility in your hamstrings, back, shoulders, and hips.

Improved balance is one of the most important benefits of yoga, especially as you get older. Poses that require you to stand on one leg, and, for more advanced practitioners, turn you upsidedown in an inversion, can be a great way to build the core strength to hold you upright.

4) Teaches Better Breathing & Improves Heart Health

Pranayama, or yogic breathing, is a practice in yoga that focuses on controlling the breath through breathing exercises and techniques.

Most types of yoga incorporate these breathing exercises, and several studies have found that practicing yoga could help improve breathing.

Yoga is good for your heart because it increases circulation and blood flow. Yoga can improve cardiovascular risk factors like obesity and high blood pressure among older adults with metabolic syndrome.

5) Increases Self-Confidence

Doing yoga improves your mind-body connection, giving you a better awareness of your own body.

During yoga, you learn to make small, subtle movements to improve your alignment, putting you in better touch with your physical body. You also learn to accept your body as it is without judgment.

6) Could Promote Sleep Quality

Yoga decreases sleep disturbances, improves sleep quality and duration, and reduces the need for sleep medications. Yoga may help enhance sleep quality because of its effects on melatonin. Yoga also has a significant effect on anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and stress — all common contributors to sleep problems.

7) Can Increase Strength

Many yoga poses require you to bear your body weight in new and often challenging ways, including balancing on one leg or supporting yourself with your arms. Holding these poses over the course of several breaths helps build muscular strength and endurance.