What Are The Benefits Of Yoga?

Yoga is a great way to work on your flexibility and strength. Just about everyone can do it, too. It’s not just for people who can touch their toes or want to meditate. Some types of yoga are about relaxation. In others, you move more. Most types focus on learning poses, called asanas. They also usually include attention to breathing.

Yoga offers physical and mental health benefits for people of all ages. And, if you’re going through an illness, recovering from surgery, or living with a chronic condition, yoga can become an integral part of your treatment and potentially hasten to heal. 

 

1. Yoga improves strength, balance, and flexibility.

Slow movements and deep breathing increase blood flow and warm up muscles while holding a pose can build strength.

Yoga poses work by stretching your muscles. They can help you move better and feel less stiff or tired. At any level of yoga, you’ll probably start to notice benefits soon. In one study, people improved their flexibility by up to 35% after only 8 weeks of yoga.

2. Can Decrease Stress

Yoga is known for its ability to ease stress and promote relaxation. In fact, multiple studies have shown that it can decrease the secretion of cortisol, the primary stress hormone.

One study demonstrated the powerful effect of yoga on stress by following 24 women who perceived themselves as emotionally distressed. After a three-month yoga program, the women had significantly lower levels of cortisol. They also had lower levels of stress, anxiety, fatigue, and depression.

Another study of 131 people had similar results, showing that 10 weeks of yoga helped reduce stress and anxiety.

3. Breathing Benefits

Yoga usually involves paying attention to your breath, which can help you relax. It may also call for specific breathing techniques. But yoga typically isn’t aerobic, like running or cycling, unless it’s an intense type of yoga.

4. Yoga helps with back pain relief.

Yoga is as good as basic stretching for easing pain and improving mobility in people with lower back pain. The American College of Physicians recommends yoga as a first-line treatment for chronic low back pain.

5. Could Improve Heart Health

From pumping blood throughout the body to supplying tissues with important nutrients, the health of your heart is an essential component of overall health. Studies show that yoga may help improve heart health and reduce several risk factors for heart disease.

High blood pressure is one of the major causes of heart problems, such as heart attacks and stroke. Lowering your blood pressure can help reduce the risk of these problems.

6. Improves Quality of Life

Yoga is becoming increasingly common as an adjunct therapy to improve quality of life for many individuals. In one study, 135 seniors were assigned to either six months of yoga, walking, or a control group. Practicing yoga significantly improved quality of life, as well as mood and fatigue, compared to the other groups.

Other studies have looked at how yoga can improve quality of life and reduce symptoms in patients with cancer.

 

End Words

Yoga can do amazing things for your sleep and health. Don’t let another night of tossing and turning keep you from getting quality sleep. Let the certified trainers at PIES Fitness Yoga teach you how to develop a consistent yoga practice that puts an end to all your sleepless nights.

PIES Fitness Yoga takes the time to provide you with individual attention and a customized class so that you can get results based on your specific goals. Don’t let a lack of sleep get in the way of you living the healthy life you deserve!