Practicing yoga can be a refreshing and revitalizing experience. It offers lots of benefits, not just fitness and health, but it goes way beyond the physical aspect. It is not limited to stretches and bending, but it is also considered as a way of life, We cover more of that in the Yoga Exercises And Benefits: The Definitive Guide
Also known as an ancient process of self-realization, it helps achieve oneness, peace and inner satisfaction. Evidence of its practice is present in the ancient Vedic literature that existed hundreds of years ago. It originated in India and was introduced in the western world in the 1890’s.
In our world today it is hard to find time for exercise and relaxing activities. We are constantly exposed to environmental, physical and mental stressors. Through the practice of yoga, we can experience peace and fitness amidst the chaos around us. Here are some of the benefits of yoga practice, if you are not practicing it yet, this might just change your mind.
Balance
Regular practice of yoga exercise improves balance. It helps you become more grounded thus you can avoid falls and be out of balance. You can also develop the muscle groups needed to help you improve your stance and form. Also, if there is an imbalance in the muscles there are certain poses you can do to target specific muscles and reverse the imbalance.
Flexibility and Stamina
At first, it is difficult to perform certain poses, but as you practice regularly flexibility and stamina will improve. In yoga even if you are not doing an advance pose it doesn’t mean that you are not reaping its benefits. Even if you can’t reach your toes or bend like pro yogis, you still get its benefits as long as you follow the right form, execution, and breathing.
Better Circulation
Practicing yoga helps improve blood flow in the body. Because of this nutrients and oxygen are better distributed to different organs resulting to improve functioning. People who have desk jobs or sits all day can largely benefit from this exercise because prolonged sitting or standing can affect the flow of blood. If not fixed early this can result in various health issues. Doing simple yoga poses every day, for a few minutes, even at work can largely improve one’s health.
Relaxes Body and Relieves Stress
There are many reasons why we get stressed. It can be due to pressures at work, finances, relationships or family. Spending a few minutes every day with your yoga mat helps relieve all the problems and the anxieties inside our mind. It allows your body to relax and gives your mind a time to rest from all the worries of the world. We cannot always control things and avoid disaster from happening, but with the help of yoga we can manage stress and overcome its effect on our mind and body.
Strengthen Bones and Muscles
Like other forms of exercise, yoga asanas have positive benefits on our bones and muscles. Since our muscles are regularly stretched and bend, it becomes stronger thus providing better support to the underlying bone structure. The injury is less likely to happen and if it did happen, it will easily heal as compared to those with those who are not physically active.
Hormone Regulation
There is certain yoga poses that help regulates hormones. Hormonal imbalance can disrupt the normal functioning of the body. There are also yoga teachers who focus on improving hormonal health especially for women with fertility issues.
Strong Immune System
With the improvement in the function of bodily organs and improvement in circulation, other positive benefits will also follow such as improvement in the immune system response. One of the reasons why the immune system lowers its ability to fight off infection is stress. With regular practice of yoga exercise, stress is managed thus leading to a stronger immune system.
Calms the Mind
Yoga exercise is usually performed along with proper breathing. This technique is known to help calm the mind. With a clear mind, you can better provide solutions to problems of life. Yoga also comes hand in hand with the practice of meditation, which helps one find inner peace and satisfaction.
Discipline
The practice of yoga requires discipline. This is attitude is important in all aspect of life. If you want to achieve something, you have to have discipline. Some poses are really hard to perform; it requires regular practice and self-check to know if you are doing it right or wrong. Eventually, as you become stronger and flexible the body can easily do the poses with lesser strain and effort.
Low Impact Exercise
Yoga is also considered as a low-impact exercise. Because of this you can improve your body and achieve fitness and health without compromising your joints. Some sports that are considered as high impact are running, jump rope exercise and jogging.
