Five Specific Health Benefits Of Yoga

The word yoga stems from the Sanskrit term that means union. Yoga involves a series of postures, meditation techniques and breathing methods specifically designed to help you bring your mind and body together in balance. Yoga originated about 6,000 years ago but didn't become popular in the United States until the 1960s. Performing yoga exercises provides you with a variety of health benefits.

Reduces Stress

Yoga requires you to perform precise poses. This means that you must focus on holding the positions, which moves your thoughts away from stressful situations. The slow and even breathing techniques help you to relax, according to the "Yoga Journal" magazine. "Fitness" magazine adds that the yoga breathing techniques also lower your heart rate and calm your nervous system, which can help to alleviate symptoms of anxiety. Because yoga reduces your stress levels, it can also help you to sleep better. "Fitness" magazine suggests performing 30 to 45 minutes of yoga every day if you suffer from chronic insomnia.

Improves Your Mental Health

According to the "Yoga Journal," regular yoga practice can raise your serotonin levels and improve symptoms of depression. They add that the meditation methods involved with yoga increase the activity in your left prefrontal cortex, which can make you feel happier. Yoga can also improve your sense of well-being by forming a connection between your physical body and your mind, according to Jessica Matthews at ACE Fitness. Performing yoga exercises can also help you to get in better physical shape, which can boost your self-esteem.

Boosts Heart Health

The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that the stress-reducing benefits of yoga can also help to improve the health of your heart. Lower stress levels can lead to reduced blood pressure levels and lower cholesterol levels, both of which can boost your cardiovascular health. "Yoga Journal" adds that regular yoga practice also lowers your resting heart rate while increasing your oxygen intake. "Fitness" magazine recommends performing yoga routines for about 90 minutes three times weekly for the best results.

Improves Chronic Health Conditions

The Mayo Clinic reports that performing yoga regularly might help to treat chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia and chronic back pain. According to H. Badsha's article in "Rheumatology International," test subjects with rheumatoid arthritis symptoms showed significant improvements after performing yoga exercises. "Yoga Journal" reports that yoga also helps to treat diabetes by lowering your adrenal levels, promoting weight loss, increasing your insulin sensitivity and reducing your cortisol levels.

Improves Muscle Health

Performing yoga exercises routinely to make your muscles stronger. Having stronger muscles not only help you to look and feel better, but they can protect you from injuries, particularly falls. Building muscle strength through yoga exercise has the added benefit of making your muscles more flexible. Looser muscles means that you will be less likely to hurt yourself while performing daily activities or participating in other physical activities.