Virtually no other exercise program is as enduring as Yoga. From humble origins in India, it’s been around for more than 5000 years. Historically speaking, yoga is not just a method of teaching; it was a way of life. It is currently one of the most popular forms of exercise, practiced by millions around the world. Unlike other workout routines, yoga is not just limited to burning calories and staying fit. It focuses on both body and mind that combines strength exercises with meditation to ease stress and promote relaxation. A simple search on why is yoga good for you? will throw up hundreds of benefits. Here we list 10 major ones:
- It improves flexibility
Improved flexibility is one of the most obvious benefits of yoga. Beginners may not be able to bend enough to touch their toes, but the magic is yoga is in its ability to gradually loosen muscles with each asana or posture.
- Helps lose weight
An everyday gentle practice of asanas fuels the metabolic system and burns fat. This will consequently help you lose weight.
Strong muscles not just make you handsome or beautiful, they protect from conditions like back pain and arthritis. Yoga uses the weight of your own body to build mass and strength, thus helping prevent workout injuries.
- Reduce the stress of daily life
This goes without saying. Research shows that regular yoga practice regulates heart rate and decreases secretion of cortisol, the primary stress hormone. Not all workout routines can boast of the ability to purify the mind and reduce stress.
- Improves your posture
Bowing our head over smartphone and laptop screens has a negative effect on posture. This can cause pain and arthritis of the spine. Because yoga regulates weight, flexibility, and muscle strength, it can subsequently improve your posture.
- Regulates breathing
Regular yoga practice improves lung capacity as a result of deep breathing asanas. It can slow down heart rate and reduce blood pressure, helping you stay calm and increase endurance.
- Improves concentration and cognitive ability
Yoga inherently requires you to concentrate on breathing. As a result, you will achieve increased mental stability, and an improvement in the ability to recall and retain information.
- Boosts confidence
The meditation part of yoga does a great deal to boost your confidence. As the state of your physical body improves, you will feel more confident and establish an internal connection with yourself
- Helps you be happier
Studies show that practicing regular yoga results in higher serotonin levels, which is the happiness hormone. It remaps your brain chemistry and improves your mood. So the next time someone asks “why yoga is good for you?” tell them that it makes you happy!
