Yoga is one of the most beneficial forms of exercise, often working the entire body at once to give you an all-round exercise that keeps your whole body healthy. Yoga is an ancient form of exercise that has maintained much of its traditional form, even as it has been developed over the years. Yoga works to develop a series of postures and movements designed to improve flexibility, posture, strength, and breathing.
The practice of yoga began in India around 5,000 years ago and remains one of the most popular exercises. Today, it is practised in yoga classes and gyms around the world, as well as health clubs, surgeries, hospitals, and even schools. But what are the health benefits of yoga? In this article we will be looking at yoga, how it benefits the body and mind, and why you should give it a go!
The Benefits of Yoga on Your Body
The benefits of yoga are numerous and by practising just a few simple yoga poses every day, you could benefit from the daily advantages yoga has on the body. Yoga is one of the most beneficial physical exercises, working out the whole body at once and benefiting your physic in many different ways, including the following:
– Improves flexibility
– Increased strength
– Improves and perfects posture
– Keeps joints healthy
– Protects the spine from damage
– Increases blood flow
– Relieves muscle tension
– Improves your balance
The Benefits of Yoga on Your Health
Just fifteen minutes of yoga every day can have a number of benefits on your health. While it can be tempting to stay in bed for those extra fifteen minutes or sit in front of the television, the physical activity of practising yoga daily can benefit your health in a way that will keep you strong, healthy, and happy for many years to come. The benefits of yoga on your health are as follows:
– Keeps your bones healthy
– Lowers risk of heart attack
– Reduces likelihood of depression
– Lowers blood pressure
– Promotes weight loss
– Lowers high blood pressure
– Keeps allergies and viruses at bay
– Reduces likelihood of heart disease
– Improves your immunity
The Benefits of Yoga on Your Mind
Yoga has been used in mental health treatment for decades as it has a number of health benefits for the mind. Yoga increases serotonin in the body naturally and according to the Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, serotonin plays an important role in the treatment of depression as it keeps people happier. The benefits of yoga on the mind also include the following:
– Increases your ability to focus
– Helps promote relaxation
– Improves sleep quality
– Reduces stress
– Reduces anxiety
– Helps you regain control over your mind
– Teaches inner calm
– Promotes healthy breathing techniques
The Benefits of Yoga for Men
Men often experience a variety of aches and pains, whether from being athletically active, in a physically-demanding job, or simply spending a high number of hours sat at a desk. Yoga is extremely beneficial for men in that it helps prevent injuries by improving flexibility and range of motions, keeping muscles supple and strong. What’s more, yoga also improves joint durability while men work out or take on physically-exerting tasks.
There are thousands of men all around the UK who practice yoga on a regular basis and they even use it as a way to build muscle! Many men assume that the only way to build muscle is by weightlifting and while this can be effective, muscle building through yoga practice is significantly more beneficial and long lasting. Using your body’s weight, yoga works against natural resistance to build lean and strong muscle mass. Yoga isn’t just beneficial for women, it is just as advantageous for men.
The Benefits of Yoga for Women
Women are twice as likely to suffer from significant stress, anxiety, and depression than men. So, how can yoga help with this? Well, yoga is known for its health benefits in reducing stress, manage anxiety, and keep depression at bay. Not only does regular exercise, such as practising yoga, increase the endorphins in your body making you happier, but it also helps you quieten your thoughts, manage your breathing, and stay in control of your thoughts.
Yoga can successfully act as a therapy for many mental health struggles by helping people engage in the present by actively clearing their minds and focusing on their breathing. Not only does this keep mental health issues at bay, it also helps promote a positive body and mind connection that is extremely beneficial for managing stress, reducing anxiety, and keeping depression at bay.
Is Yoga Beneficial for Children?
It is easy for us to forget that children face stress just like adults do, it just comes from different places, such as school, exam pressure, adults, health problems, and more. Yoga can be very beneficial for children who struggle with the day-to-day busyness of life and various pressures.
When children learn how to practice yoga and enjoy it safely, they can learn how to manage their thoughts, stress, breathing, and relaxation, helping them navigate through their busy lives with more ease than they did before.
The Benefits of Yoga During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, your body goes through many different changes and some can be uncomfortable, difficult to manage both physically and mentally. Yoga can be a great help to women during pregnancy as it helps to develop proper breathing techniques, promote relaxation, and maintain fitness levels through low-impact exercise.
Yoga during pregnancy helps improve posture, flexibility, reduce aches and pain, lower the likelihood of joint inflammation, and decrease nausea amongst many other benefits. Just 15-30 minutes of yoga every day can be extremely beneficial during pregnancy, so long as you take it easy and do not push yourself too hard. It is always best to go to a prenatal yoga class to ensure your stretches are being led by a qualified professional so that you do not cause an injury to yourself.
Is Yoga More Beneficial in the Morning?
When you practice yoga is up to you, however it is generally suggested that yoga is most beneficial for your body and mind first thing in the morning. Stretching through various yoga poses in the morning can help prepare you physical and mentally for the day ahead. What’s more, it gives your metabolism the boost it needs to start the day, is a great alternative to caffeine, prevents injury and aches and pains the day may bring, and helps you build a healthy and consistent routine.
Practice Yoga in the Comfort of Your Own Home
Another benefit of yoga is that you can practice it anywhere, even in the comfort of your own home! There are many fantastic yoga sequences for home practice that help you keep fit and healthy without having to leave the house. This means you can do yoga straight after getting out of bed, during the day, and even as part of your night routine.
Practising yoga at home gives you the freedom and flexibility to keep fit on your own terms and in your own time. What’s more, it gives you the opportunity to go at your own pace, try different poses without the fear of looking silly in front of other people, and grow confidence in your own ability.
Yoga Practitioners Help You Achieve the Benefits You Want
There are currently 300 million yoga practitioners and yoga teachers worldwide who can help you enjoy the many health benefits yoga provides. Whatever your age or physical ability, there are various stretches, poses, and movements in yoga that can benefit you in both the life stage and fitness level you’re at. Yoga is available to people of all ages and abilities and you’re sure to benefit from it in a number of different ways.
As one of the best all-round exercises and a great way to manage daily stress, the benefits of yoga are endless! If you’ve never practised yoga before, I hope this article encourages you to give it a try and experience the numerous benefits to your physical and mental health.
* Contact Reach Physiotherapy for a list of references used for this blog content.
