Hello everyone 🙂
I’ve recently got back into doing a lot more yoga, which has really made me remember how beneficial it is for me, physically and mentally. I’d really love you to experience the joy you get from a regular yoga session, so I’ve compiled a list here of its advantages to convince you to try it!
1) Yoga increases flexibility
Because yoga involves many different stretches where a lot of muscles are engaged, the process can help to increase your flexibility over time.
For me, I’ve found I’m now able to touch my heels on the ground in a Downward Dog, which I couldn’t previously do.
These small improvements really help to give you a sense of achievement and progress.
2) Yoga reduces muscle and back pain
Regular practice promotes the natural curvature of the spine, which has been shown to reduce the chances of experiencing back pain.
However, it is important, especially for older people, to follow the correct yoga posture to prevent any back injury.
3) Yoga relieves stress
A quick yoga practice never fails to put me in a state of calm and tranquility. By focusing on the single, continuous rhythm of my breathing, my mind feels less clouded and my body relaxes.
Studies have shown that this alleviation is due to those moments of mindfulness experienced in yoga that boost your mood, eliminating troublesome thoughts.
It’s for predominantly this reason that I think yoga is great for people who work a lot or are very busy. A few minutes of stillness really give the brain a break!
4) Yoga improves posture
Linking back to my point about relieving back and muscle pain, for the same reason (straightening the spine) yoga can improve your posture.
This is a really good thing because you’ll have better circulation, digestion, as well as more energy. Yoga is a very simple process with low intensity, so choosing to do it is almost a no-brainer when you get all of these benefits too :).
5) Yoga boosts immunity
Through all of the stretching you do in a yoga practice, the lungs become more conditioned, promoting a better flow of oxygenated blood around the body and enabling organs to perform at the right capacity.
This improved circulation helps the body to remain on top form, strengthening the immune system to prevent against illness.
In addition to this, I’ve previously mentioned that yoga reduces stress, which also aids in defending against infection as stress can weaken the immune system if it becomes really amplified.
6) Yoga makes you happy
Just like in any form of exercise, doing a yoga session causes the body to release endorphins which raise your spirits and increase happiness levels.
However, yoga also incorporates deep breathing into practice which reduces anger and anxiety, making it arguably better than any other method of exercise to boost you mood.
7) Yoga reduces blood pressure
Through combining breathing exercises, meditation and soft movements, yoga makes you calm and relaxed. Moreover, it has been shown to lower blood pressure in a number of studies, with considerably more effective results when deep-breathing exercises were done.
This has a really positive impact on the health of your body as it reduces strain on the heart and chances of a heart attack.
8) Yoga ameliorates sleep
Many with insomnia who struggle to get a good night’s sleep have shown to sleep better and longer after doing a regular yoga session.
Personally, I have experienced the benefits of this as I’m not a very deep sleeper. When I have done yoga before bed, I’ve had improved sleep quality and I was able to sleep for longer.
9) Yoga is a form of self-care
It feels like these days we’re always being told to do things that look after our bodies and better our mental health.
Well, look no further, as yoga is a fantastic means of self-care. This is because the commitment you make of doing a practice is a way of showing your body that you want it to reap all the benefits I’ve already mentioned. Plus, by doing lots of gentle stretches, you are doing a form of self-healing and releasing all the tension that has accumulated over the current day.
10) Yoga brings focus
The main aim of yoga is to become present and aware.
By learning to do this on the mat, you are more likely to be focused off the mat too, leading to increased efficiency and productivity.
I’ve found this has helped me when I’ve had lots of work I should do but have been procrastinating. Yoga helps me to target my energy on things that need to be done.
Hopefully, I have now convinced you to give yoga a try. It really is good for you!
Let me know how it works out.
Love from yours truly,
A.B. x