Yoga is a group of physical and mental practices which originated in ancient India. Yoga incorporates breathing exercises, meditation and poses. It is a mindful practice designed to improve your overall health. Many yoga instructors agree that it can be more effective to practice frequently for 15 to 30 minutes than to have longer yoga sessions. Well, you’ve probably heard that yoga is good for you. But, commitment is the key. A consistent practice of yoga comes with many benefits for both physical and mental health.
- Help to manage stress
Yoga is made up of breathing, meditation and poses. Studies have shown that regularly practicing yoga is able to regulate the heart rate. Physical activity is good for reducing stress. Yoga emphasizes the present moment, thus, you will learn not to reside past events or predict the future.
- Improve breathing
Yoga focuses on controlling the breath through breathing exercises and techniques. For instance, breathing deeply and steadily is essential for every yoga practice. Certain types of breath is beneficial to people with allergies. Breathing better can make you feel more relaxed and calm too.
- Improve cardio and circulatory health
According to researchers, yoga may soothe an irregular heartbeat. Yoga is able to improve cardio and circulatory health. Studies have proven that yoga can lower down blood pressure, cholesterol and other risk factors. Meanwhile, breathing techniques of yoga help to maintain good circulation of oxygen and nutrients to blood cells.
- Improve flexibility, balance, strength and posture
Daily yoga involves stretching and moving that is able to improve your flexibility. Poses such as standing on one leg can improve balance and build core strength that keeps you upright. Yoga helps to improve posture too. You may sit up straighter at your desk and walk taller.
- Maintain a balanced metabolism
The actual rate of metabolism depends on several factors such as age, gender and physical activity. Increasing movement is able to increase the metabolism rate. Thus, yoga can maintain a balanced metabolism through improvement in digestion and circulation system.
- Promote sleep quality
Yoga calms your mind and reduces stress. It allows you to relax and is a great way to promote your sleep quality. It relaxes the nervous system and improves the duration of your sleeping hours. Hence, yoga can help with insomnia too.
- Improve concentration and think clearer
Yoga meditation and poses require you to concentrate on your breathing. The process of observing the breath can calm your mind. Meditation is able to promote better concentration throughout the day. As a result, you may think clearer with a stable mentality.
- Support joint health and prevent back pain
The movements of yoga are gentle and low impact. Yoga is able to support your joint health. It helps to strengthen the muscles around the joints and improves bone health. Yoga is able to loosen the tightness throughout the body and spinal compression. Increased flexibility and strength via yoga helps to prevent back pain too.
- Become more mindful
Since yoga focuses on breathing and meditation techniques, you will need to concentrate on those when you practise yoga. These skills and mindfulness come hand-in-hand. While practicing yoga, you will be able to foster mental calmness.
- Improve quality of life
Yoga improves mind and body connection. Regularly practising yoga helps increase your level of fitness and reduces stress. In short, yoga improves your quality of life. Regularly practising yoga could make you healthier and happier.
