The practice of yoga has been popular for generations and the health benefits from this form of exercise are substantial. Practicing yoga can help improve balance, flexibility, and strength. Since yoga focuses on the mind/ body connection, it can also offer spiritual benefits by providing the opportunity to meditate and experience relaxation and inner peace.
Increased Flexibility with Yoga
With the different techniques learned in yoga, the body can gently and safely stretch allowing for increased range of motion. Yoga poses are meant to be smooth and fluid so muscles and soft tissue can be safely stretched. The benefits and increase in flexibility will likely be seen in a short period of time.
Increased Strength with Yoga
The practice of yoga can increase strength because you can hold any given pose for a period of time and often repeat the poses during a yoga workout. The poses encourage muscle movement and a concentration on your core strength. Many poses involve positions where you are supporting your own weight, encouraging muscle toning and added strength. As you learn and refine your yoga poses, your strength will naturally increase.
Improved Balance and Posture with Yoga
The smoothness and fluidity of yoga poses will help improve balance and posture over time as well. The flexibility and strength gained from practicing yoga will help improve core strength which will lead to improved balance. According to WebMD, yoga will also increase the awareness of one’s body. With this increased awareness, one may be quicker to notice slouched shoulders or when posture should be adjusted.
Yoga for Weight Loss
Yoga can help encourage weight loss because of the calorie burning benefits from this form of exercise. But yoga also encourages a generally healthy lifestyle. As you become more aware of your body and a healthy body and mind experience, people often choose healthier eating habits. Combining yoga with healthier eating will happily lead to weight loss and a more toned physical appearance.
Yoga: Mind and Body Fitness
There is a natural biochemical response when engaging in yoga. According to WebMD, “There is a decrease in catecholamines, the hormones produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress. Lowering levels of hormone neurotransmitters -- dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine -- creates a feeling of calm”. There is also an increase in the “feel-good” hormone, oxytocin, which adds to a feeling of relaxation and human connectedness or bonding.
The aim of yoga is to harmonize the mind and body. The practice is a well-rounded approach to overall mind and body fitness. Muscles stretch and elongate allowing for the increased flexibility and strength that many people seek when starting yoga. But yoga also offers a means to help you relax, manage stress and anxiety, and achieve a feeling of inner peace. It is no wonder why yoga has been in practice for thousands of years and continues to gain a faithful following.
Lucia Jenkins - Lucia is lifelong student, writer and bookworm. She has worked in the IT Industry for over 15 years, specializing in Process Improvement, ...
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