Yoga is an ancient practice that combines spirituality with physical health. It combines relaxation, meditation, breathing techniques, and posture to make the body strong and healthy.
Today, yoga has become very popular among people of all ages. In fact, many people engage in a fasting yoga retreat and other activities that promote relaxation. Yoga helps build strength, awareness, and harmony in the mind and body. Learn how yoga affects your body and your overall health.
Improves Flexibility
Yoga works by stretching the muscles to help you move better and less stiff. Aside from that, it helps tone the muscles. At first, you might find it difficult to stretch, but with daily practice, you’ll notice a gradual loosening and eventually, you can perform hard poses. In addition, aches and pains in your joints and muscles will start to disappear.
Improved Muscle Strength
Some styles of yoga are very physical that they help improve muscle tone. Moderate yoga poses give endurance and strength benefits. Having strong muscles protect the body from conditions such as back pain and arthritis. In older people, it helps reduce the risk of falls.
Improved Emotional Health
Exercise has been shown to help people with depression feel better. Yoga, as a form of exercise, can also help improve emotional health. In fact, practising yoga helps stimulate the production of oxytocin, the love hormone. It also improves serotonin level, which is called the happiness hormone.
Improved Posture
Poor posture can cause problems in the neck, back, and other muscles. Pain is the most common consequence of a bad posture. Yoga helps straighten the back to reduce pressure on the spinal column. In the long run, you will feel less pain on the back.
Less Stress
Yoga helps you feel less stressed and more relaxed. Yoga has three elements: poses, breathing, and meditation. All these have a good effect on one’s feelings and mental health. In addition, yoga helps promote a good night’s sleep and fewer sleep problems. That said, you will feel refreshed and rejuvenated the next day, without feeling stressed.
Better Breathing
Deep breathing can cause many good health benefits. Yoga uses deep breathing to help you feel more relaxed and calmer. In addition, you’ll have increased lung capacity and more tidal volume. Deep breathing can help you when you’re stressed and in pain.
Improved Focus and Concentration
Yoga and meditation require you to concentrate on your breathing. This makes your mind relaxed. As a result, you’ll have mental stability and better concentration. Several studies have found that regular yoga exercises improve reaction time, coordination, memory, and cognition.
Healthy Heart
Yoga has been found to lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate. Low blood pressure can reduce the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. On the other hand, a slow heart rate can benefit people with heart disease and hypertension. Aside from these, yoga has been associated with lower triglycerides and cholesterol levels in the blood.
Yoga has many health benefits. All of these will appear when you perform yoga regularly, at least three times a week. The benefits will increase if you combine it with a healthy diet and ample rest.
