5 Ways Yoga Is Good For You

Yogis have known the benefits of regular yoga practice for thousands of years and here in the West, we are finally learning about all yoga has to offer. Far from just being a spiritual journey to enlightenment, yoga has many positive benefits for both our physical and mental health. Here are five ways regular yoga practice is good for you. 

1. It protects your body

In a world where good physical health is a major goal for many, the physical benefits of yoga are well known. But yoga can do more for you than just reshape your body or be an alternative to the gym. Regular yoga practice protects your body by increasing your flexibility and muscle strength, improving your posture, and improving the health of your spine and joints.

Yoga asanas (postures) stretch and strengthen your body as you move through them.

At the same time, asanas rely on body strength to hold each position. This natural increase in strength and muscle protects your body from injuries and falls, and improves your balance. Additionally, because you move your body through a full range of motion during yoga practice, your joints and spine benefit from fresh nutrients moving through them which keeps them healthy and prevents a breakdown in cartilage.

Yoga’s ability to protect your body doesn’t stop there. Asanas focus on aligning the body correctly. Not only does the correct alignment of your spine and joints further reduce your risk of injury but it encourages and ‘retrains’ your muscles so that your posture naturally improves over time. When you demonstrate good posture, you reduce your risk of developing headaches, back and neck pain, reduce your levels of fatigue, and your digestion and breathing improve.

2. It helps your heart and lungs

Many people think of yoga as a passive activity with slow movements that barely change your heart rate but in truth, yoga has a positive effect on your heart rate, blood flow and breathing. Yoga styles such as flow or Ashtanga are especially good for increasing your heart rate due to their more dynamic nature but in reality, all forms of yoga help to increase your heart rate and blood flow during practice and this is in part due to the focus on breathing.

One of the key concepts in yoga is breathing, particularly through the nostrils. Breathing brings prana (or life force) into your body and keeps energy flowing through you.

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Effective breathing also increases your blood flow, improving your circulation, and increasing your red blood cell count which helps to thin your blood and reduce the risk of clots forming (this in turn helps to reduce your risk of stroke or heart attack from a blood clot).

Psychological Benefits Of Yoga 

3. Inner strength

One of the greatest benefits of regular yoga practice is its effect on your mind and in particular, your inner strength. Yoga helps you to turn your focus inward and can affect your life in an extremely positive way. Yoga philosophy contains eight limbs which strengthen the mind, body and soul over time. One of these limbs – Niyama – focuses on personal discipline. With regular yoga practice, you strengthen these disciplines allowing you to create purity within your mind, body and environment, find contentment and happiness within the moment, become self aware, and develop dedication towards personal growth.

4. Healthy lifestyle choices

Many people are unaware that yoga can help you make healthier lifestyle choices.

In addition to burning calories during yoga practice, yoga helps you to become more in tune with your mind and body. As a result, your emotions become more stable and you naturally begin to eat less, along with becoming more conscious of the types of foods you are eating.

Another way yoga encourages healthy lifestyle choices is through better sleep patterns. Many people struggle with disrupted sleep or insomnia, often due to pain, tension, stress or depression. Yoga helps to alleviate all of these conditions, as well as helping to reduce stimulation. All of this helps your body reestablish its sleep patterns and helps you get a better night’s sleep in the process.

5. Mental health

While many people turn to yoga as alternative method of exercise, the best way yoga can help you is via your mental health.

When you suffer from excessive or chronic stress, your adrenal system releases the hormone Cortisol to help you cope. Unfortunately, regular high levels of Cortisol leads to emotional eating, weight gain, depression, osteoporosis, high blood pressure and even insulin resistance, and can increase your risk of diabetes and heart disease.

Regular yoga practice helps to reduce Cortisol levels by teaching you how to control your emotions and relax your mind and body. Because of the physical natural of yoga, it also increases your levels of serotonin which makes you feel happier and more content. Yoga also helps your mental health by building your connectivity to others. As you become more in tune and self aware, you develop more compassion and empathy, and feel compelled to help others. This gives more meaning to your life and brings you closer to others.

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As you can see, yoga is more than a fad or an alternative to more traditional forms of exercise. While many people practice yoga solely for the physical benefits of increased flexibility and strength, many more people find the psychological and spiritual benefits of yoga more fulfilling. Whether you choose to practice yoga as gentle exercise or to help reduce pain, stress or depression, yoga is good for you in many ways and can change your life. And with all the different styles of yoga available, there’s sure to be a style to suit you and your goals.