Yoga can have some surprising health benefits, some of the many are, lower blood pressure, improved posture and increased flexibility.
Yoga is one of those words that gets thrown around a lot these days when it comes to health and living better, physically, mentally and spiritually.
Many people, especially people interested in starting a yoga practice, may still feel unsure of what it really means.
Yoga, in its original form (dating back to ancient India 2000 years ago) is a practice focusing on physical exercise, breath control, meditation and mindfulness, relaxation and harmony between the body mind and spirit.
Today, science is catching on to all the wonderful health benefits yoga practice provides. Yoga encourages low impact movement through asanas and postures, together with deep breathing techniques that oxygenates the body.
It helps to calm a cluttered mind, teaching it to focus on the moment. It is a form of holistic therapy that can be practised by everyone.
You do not have to be the fittest, most flexible or best meditator to practice yoga. Yoga learns you to work with your own body to create a state of relaxation.
Today, yoga has become overly commercialised on social media platforms. Don’t let all those images of bendy millennial’s on Instagram scare you off.
One of the other surprising health benefits of Yoga is that if you join a a club or group is the social side, maybe meeting like minded people.
Top 10 health benefits of Yoga
- Improves flexibility and muscle strength
- Improves posture and protects joints from injury
- Increases blood flow, bringing more oxygen to your muscles and vital organs
- Boosts your immune system
- Improves the removal of toxins from the body through lymphatic drainage
- Lowers your blood pressure
- Helps to turn down the body’s stress response and induces deep relaxation
- Improves mental clarity
- Releases ‘happy’ hormones, elevating your mood
- Helps you to sleep better
Tips for beginners starting Yoga
Find an accredited yoga teacher in your area that offers classes for beginners. Practice self-love and learn to go slow with your body, always listening to what it is telling you.
Do not allow yourself to compare your practice with that of others. Yoga is a personal practice and is never the same for one person to the next.
You will soon find your own rhythm and start reaping the amazing health benefits of yoga.
Article written by Liawrites
