If you’ve never given yoga much thought, this is the article for you! Yoga has long been practiced in Indian philosophy and religion, but over the last few decades, it has grown to be practiced by people all over the world, regardless of their religious beliefs or background. What many people don’t know is that many of the health benefits associated with yoga are often overlooked! Read on to discover the surprising health benefits of yoga!
Improves flexibility
One of the most underrated benefits is improved flexibility, which translates to increased muscle mass and decreased risk for injury. It also helps with stress relief and promotes a positive mental outlook. Flexibility is crucial when you’re engaging in any physical activity because it improves range of motion and prevents injuries. Another unexpected benefit? Improved balance! Balance control can be a challenge as we get older, but yoga can help us maintain our stability. All this contributes to the greater number of healthy years that we spend enjoying our lives instead of living in chronic pain.
Builds muscle strength
Doing yoga can increase muscle mass. Yoga is also a great way to work out your entire body, and it can help with both flexibility and balance. Yoga provides a good workout for the muscles all around your body, including the back muscles and abdominals.
Yoga also burns calories, another benefit to practicing yoga. You’ll burn between 200-500 calories per hour depending on how much energy you put into it! Yoga also teaches breathing techniques that will help you better manage stress levels.
Yoga is safe for people of any age, weight or fitness level because there are so many different styles and intensities that everyone can participate in at their own pace and comfort level. And finally, yoga builds muscle strength by helping us stretch our bodies while holding poses and giving us time to let go of tension in our muscles.
It’s no wonder then why nearly 20 million Americans practice yoga every week!
Perfects posture
When you’re in a yoga pose, your posture should be perfect. With the right stance, your body is primed to do all the things it needs to do without causing any undue stress or fatigue. In yoga, there are three main postures: standing, sitting and lying down. Each pose has its benefits and each can be done at any time. Standing poses are good for improving circulation, strengthening muscles and joints as well as relieving tension. Sitting postures help improve strength while also allowing you to clear your mind and rejuvenate. Finally, lying down poses provide stress relief by relaxing the entire body.
Betters your bone health
Yoga is known for its many benefits, but few people know about its affect on bone health. After only eight weeks, yoga has been proven to increase bone density in adults as much as weight-bearing exercise like walking or jogging. In fact, a recent study from the University of Oslo found that yoga can also be helpful for those who are at risk for osteoporosis and have low bone mass.
Yoga practitioners who have low bone mass will benefit from practicing this activity because it helps strengthen bones while improving balance and stability. It’s not just great for strengthening the body–yoga also reduces stress levels, which can help prevent conditions like osteoporosis and depression.
Prevents cartilage and joint breakdown
Staying active is not just for your heart, it also helps keep your joints healthy. One study found that people who practiced yoga experienced less cartilage breakdown than those who did not. What’s more, the researchers observed a decrease in stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline after participants engaged in the practice. Doing yoga can give you a healthy dose of fitness while also helping to relieve some built-up stress! And when stress levels are high, this can lead to more serious conditions such as insomnia or digestive disorders. The Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine published a study that found evidence linking high stress levels with sleep problems among college students; meanwhile the Mayo Clinic reported on research linking stress and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Stress relief is important at all stages of life—especially if we want to avoid its potential long-term effects on our health!
Protects your spine
Yoga is known for its positive effects on stress relief and the relief it provides to your spine. When you are stressed, your spine becomes more rigid and compressed, which can lead to back pain. In fact, as many as 80% of all back problems are caused by stress. Regular yoga practice alleviates these stresses by improving flexibility in the spine and strengthening abdominal muscles, both crucial for maintaining a healthy back. In addition to relieving tension that contributes to chronic pain, yoga also boosts moods, encourages weight loss, combats heart disease and cancer risk factors, strengthens the immune system, slows aging processes and improves sleep quality.
Increases your blood flow
A study done by Harvard found that yoga can increase your blood flow and lower your blood pressure, which can help with stress relief. Plus, it’s a great workout without being too hard on the body. You also get to connect with yourself in ways you may not be able to otherwise.
A lot of people don’t realize just how good for you yoga is! It really does wonders for your mental health and physical health! If you’re looking for an effective workout plan or stress relief, give this ancient practice a try. Try to make time for yoga at least twice a week and see if it helps ease your stress levels. Do research beforehand to find the right style and instructor so you feel comfortable when starting out. Some instructors might be more intense than others, while others will go easier on beginners like yourself. Just remember: what works best for one person might not work well for another, so experiment until you find what works best for you!
Ups your heart rate
Yoga is known for its stress relief benefits, but it also provides a wide range of other health benefits. Studies show that people who practice yoga have a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It’s also been shown to improve flexibility and posture, which can lead to less back pain. And the list goes on: Yoga helps people sleep better, increases self-esteem, decreases anxiety and depression levels, and more.
So if you’re looking to try something new this year or just want to feel healthier overall, consider adding some yoga into your routine!
