Yoga is an ancient mind-body art form that has gained popularity in Western culture due to its many physical and emotional health benefits. By learning how to properly breathe and move your body in beneficial ways, you can improve your overall level of functioning. Yoga can offer something for all ages and fitness levels. Check with your doctor first.
Benefits
Yoga's many health benefits go beyond stress reduction, weight management and better sleeping. Yoga can result in a slower heart rate, signifying a strong heart, better blood circulation and oxygen distribution throughout the body, lower blood pressure, increased endurance and improved lung capacity, according to NursingSchool.net. Yoga can also increase muscle tone and strength, plus joint flexibility and strength, while improving posture, enhancing functioning of immune and gastrointestinal systems, decreasing pain levels, lowering risks of developing health ailments by providing gentle organ massage and helping to regulate body metabolism. Using yoga can improve your complexion and skin tone, increase energy levels, improve body balance and increase self-confidence levels.
Stress
At the center of yoga is deep breathing and meditation, according to the Mayo Clinic. Deep breathing can relieve anxiety and reduce stress naturally. Yoga considers breathing as life's energy. Yoga philosophy teaches that controlling breathing results in better mind and body control. In addition to breathing deeply, focusing the mind on yoga poses will reduce stress. As you gently and slowly move your body into precise yoga postures that require concentration and balance, your mind focus shifts from paying attention to your hectic life and achieves lower stress levels.
Weight
As part of a regular exercise program, yoga can help with weight concerns by increasing your body movement level. Yoga involves physical activity that burns calories, with a 150-pound individual burning 240 calories per hour, according to the Mayo Clinic. Even though not burning as many calories as aerobic activity, using yoga on a consistent basis can fend off weight gain.
Sleep
Yoga can help with getting a good night's sleep. Common symptoms of sleep deprivation include higher stress levels that result in poor concentration, insomnia and decreased productivity, according to the Better Sleep Council. Exercising regularly, up to two hours before bedtime, can achieve a good sleep. As an alternate natural relaxation technique for achieving lower stress levels, according to the Mayo Clinic, the exercise in yoga can improve sleep quality.
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