Yoga is a well-known therapeutic practice carried out for decades for relaxation, meditation, and the development of sound minds and strength.
Citing the American Osteopathic Association [1], “Yoga is a great tool for staying healthy because it’s based on similar principles. “The purpose of yoga is to build strength, awareness, and harmony in both the mind and body,” another Doctor explained.
Yoga is a prominent way to work on your flexibility and strength. And guess what? everyone can participate in this exercise additionally, it is not just for people who can touch their toes or want to meditate.
Although some people practice yoga for relaxation, others for focus, while some others for stretching. This is because there are so many different kinds of yoga practices.
“Whether you are a couch potato or a professional athlete, size and fitness levels do not matter because there are modifications for every yoga pose and beginner classes in every style,” says Dr. Nevins.
Physical health benefits of Yoga
Dr. Nevins explains that “The relaxation techniques incorporated in yoga can lessen chronic pain, such as lower back pain, arthritis, headaches, and carpal tunnel syndrome,” He also suggested that yoga can also lower blood pressure and reduce insomnia [2].
Other physical benefits of yoga include:
- increased flexibility
- increased muscle strength and tone
- improved respiration, energy and vitality
- maintaining a balanced metabolism
- weight reduction
- cardio and circulatory health
- improved athletic performance
- protection from injury
Mental health benefits of Yoga
Apart from the physical benefits, one of the vital benefits of yoga is how it helps a person manage stress, which is known to have devastating effects on the body and mind.
In the previous article, we highlighted how stress can be devastating and yet managed through yoga practices. Yoga’s incorporation of meditation and breathing can help improve a person’s mental well-being and cognitive functions [3]
6 Health Benefits of Yoga
For Flexibility
Most yoga poses work by stretching your muscles. They can help you move better and feel less stiff or exhausted.
At any level of yoga, you will probably start to notice benefits soon. In one study, people improved their flexibility by up to 35% after only 8 weeks of yoga.
Better a Posture
YES! yoga can help improve body posture and stamina. Major standing and sitting pose develop core strength since you’ll need your core muscles to support and maintain each pose.
Also, with a stronger core, you are more likely to sit and stand upright.
Yoga also helps your body’s awareness. Practicing yoga will help you notice more quickly if you are slouching or slumping, so you can adjust your posture rightly.
For Strength
Some styles of yoga, such as ashtanga and power yoga, are very physical. Practicing one of these styles will help you improve muscle tone.
Although, even less vigorous styles of yoga, such as Iyengar or Hatha, can provide strength and endurance benefits.
Many of these yoga poses, such as the downward dog, upward dog, and the plank pose — build upper-body strength.
The standing poses, especially if you hold them for several long breaths, can build strength in your hamstrings, quadriceps, and abs.
Yoga poses that strengthen the lower back include the upward dog and the chair pose. When done right, almost all yoga poses can build core strength in the deep abdominal muscles.
For Breathe Control
Yoga usually involves paying close attention to your breath, which can help you relax and focus properly. It may also call for a specific breathing technique. But yoga typically isn’t aerobic, like running or cycling, unless it’s an intense type of yoga.
For Relaxation
One may feel less stressed and more relaxed after doing some yoga practices.
Some yoga styles use meditation techniques that help calm the nerves of the mind. Focusing on your breathing during yoga can help do that, also.
For Healthy Heartbeat
Yoga has long been known for decades to lower blood pressure and slow heart rate. A slower heart rate can be beneficial to people with high blood pressure or heart disease, and people who have once had a stroke.
Yoga has also been linked to lower the level of cholesterol and triglyceride levels and better immune system function.
