When it comes to improving your health, one of the most rewarding activities to engage in is yoga. This ancient practice— with a plethora of different styles and techniques to learn— is a low-impact and rewarding form of exercise. If you’re wondering if yoga is right for you, read on as we break down some of the health benefits that yoga provides. You’ll be unrolling that yoga mat in no time.
Enhances Flexibility
As we get older, our bodies tend to feel stiffer and less articulate. Sometimes, we don’t even have to age into it: a sedentary lifestyle can also make our bodies less pliant. One of the biggest benefits that yoga can confer is improving your flexibility. Yoga poses stretch out your muscles, making them more supple and resistant to injury.
Increases Strength
People tend to think of yoga as primarily a flexibility-boosting form of exercise but it can also do wonders for your muscles. Yoga can be a very effective strength-building activity as the many poses and movements required by yoga can build and enhance your limb muscles. Of the different styles of yoga you can learn, the ones that have the most direct impact on building strength are Ashtanga, Power yoga, and Vinyasa.
Eases Back Pain
If you’re suffering from back pain or feeling a stiffness in your lower back, yoga could provide much-needed relief. Yoga stretches and exercises can improve mobility and help ease chronic back pain. It achieves this effect by strengthening the muscles that support your spine while releasing built-up tension inside your body that could otherwise lead to sprains, muscle tears, and other injuries.
Boosts Heart Health
As far as low impact exercises go, yoga can pack a powerful punch when it comes to cardiovascular health. Practicing yoga can lower your blood pressure and blood sugar, improve circulation, and decrease your cortisol levels. Yoga is a great way to de-stress, which contributes to its heart health boosting properties.
Improves Cognition
Yoga isn’t just good for your body: it can also improve your mind! Studies have found that practicing yoga on a regular basis can improve memory retention while reducing the risk of developing neuro-degenerative conditions. The practice can also improve hand-eye coordination and your ability to concentrate.
Article by Austin Brietta
Want more wellness tips? Check out these stories: