Yoga is often disregarded as a way to loose weight, get leaner, and stronger, but what many don’t know is that besides its ability to connect both body and mind, it serves as a low impact route to a healthier you. Some people like exercises that make them sweat and “feel the burn”, but for those who prefer a more mellow, low intensity work out, there’s yoga. Here is why you should become a yogi.
1) Getting bendy
One of the obvious benefits of yoga is to improve your flexibility. Flexibility is something that builds on itself. So, don’t be discouraged when after one session of yoga you still can’t touch your toes. Give it a couple of weeks and you’ll start to notice how loose you feel and how you’ve not only reached your toes but can stretch even further out. Along with the increase in flexibility you might also notice that certain aches are gone. The body needs stretching in order to reset and align itself properly. By practicing yoga you soothe these pains.
2) Build muscle strength
Yoga gives you the best of both worlds; a flexible and toned body. These two combined reduce the risk of arthritis and other related pains. It also perfects your posture and strengthens your bones, taking care of all the areas in your body that are not targeted by simple weight lifting.
3) Improve circulatory health and reduce your weight
Yoga gets your blood flowing, literally. The constant shift in poses and stretching aids your circulation, while increasing your heart rate resulting in weight loss. Ultimately, this can reduce your risk of a heart attack, relieve stress, and increase your endurance. Better circulation means better oxygenation of blood, resulting in a body that functions more efficiently. Note: this is geared toward a yoga practice that is more aerobic.
4) Immunity boost
These whimsical and fun poses also help your immune system! All that twisting and turning helps to drain your lymph nodes and detoxify your body. Drained lymph nodes = a much healthier you.
5) Helps you focus
Yoga teaches you how to control your breath, focus, and be present. It’s a holistic practice that encourages self-care. Studies show that practicing yoga can improve coordination and memory, which makes yoga a great exercise for both mind and body.