1. Flexibility
When people think of yoga, flexibility is the first concept that comes to mind. In other forms of exercise, stretching is often just the warm-up or cool-down period. By contrast, the entire yoga session is spent on movements and postures (asanas) that increase flexibility throughout the body. Beginners often find out about muscles they never realized they had! As you continue to practice, you’ll continue to unlock a fuller range of motion. Yoga also helps to aid in the breakdown of lactic acid, a major cause of stiff muscles.
2. Balance And Agility
All of that time spent in asanas does more than simply stretch your muscles. Developing balance is necessary to hold any position. At first, you may topple over easily, but in time you will be able to hold these positions for longer and longer. In every day life, this means you’ll move much more gracefully!
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3. Stress Reduction
Yoga is one of the best ways to deal with the stresses of the day. Stressed people often carry that tension in tight, sore muscles, and the gentle stretching helps to release that. Yoga helps to elevate your mood for many reasons. To comfortably hold an asana you have to relax, rather than force it. Many yoga classes include meditation as at least a small part of the session.
4. Overall Fitness
People who practice yoga often look younger than their counterparts. In addition to flexibility, the exercises build strength and overall muscle tone. Most asanas require strong core muscles to hold for any period of time. Stable back and ab muscles are really key for good posture, and obviously, strong and lean muscles look better than flabby, weak ones!
5. Mindfulness
Practicing yoga helps to center you. In today’s world of distractions, many people are looking for a moment of peace from all of the worry and chatter going on in their heads. Yoga teaches you to clear your mind of all the clutter and simply focus on your breathing and body. This is mindfulness, or being fully present and aware in any given moment.
6. Healing Properties
Yoga can be beneficial for people with a wide range of health issues. Because its gentleness, doctors are often more willing to grant their blessing for patients to practice yoga even when other forms of exercise might be dangerous. It helps to lower your blood pressure, elevate your mood, relieve pain, and lubricate your joints.
7. Chronic Pain Management
While beginners will need to ease into it, yoga is useful for people with chronic pain. Yoga sessions work to reduce lactic acid and tension, actually relieving built up causes of pain. Low impact exercise is ideal for people with joint problems. By talking to your health professional, you may find that yoga is the perfect solution to ease you into a more active lifestyle.
8. Breathing
With every movement in a yoga session, you will learn how to focus on your breath. Each movement and asana has different phases for inhalation and exhalation. Even in the relaxation pose you are reminded to breathe from your diaphragm and focus on your breathing. This energizes the whole body.
9. Vitality
Done properly, yoga leaves you energized! As you practice, watch as youthfulness and vigor enter your body. A stronger, more supple, healthy body makes you look better on the outside. You’ll feel better inside, too. Feeling more calm, centered and relaxed restores you, and leaves you much more energy for your daily life.
10. Lifelong Practice
Yoga remains useful throughout all stages of life. Pregnant women find that yoga is an ideal exercise for their changing bodies, helping to prep them for labor and motherhood. Young children can enjoy yoga sessions, and practice it well into their later years. The exercise is gentle, and builds your body up, rather than over taxing it or wearing it down. The whole family can benefit from adding yoga into the daily routine.
Source:
Lidell, Lucy. Sivananda Companion to Yoga. London: Gaia Books Limited,1983. Print.
