The Benefits of Yoga - It’s Not Just About the Body

For many people, the big attraction with yoga is how good it makes them feel, both physically and mentally.  Although this alone is probably reason enough to start doing yoga, there’s more to it. Let’s look at some of the benefits of yoga in more detail.
 
The bottom line is that yoga can make you stronger, looser and healthier. It does it by combining stretching, breathing, and relaxation, along with poses that build strength, flexibility and coordination. Put all that together and your body can’t help but benefit. But what exactly are the physical benefits associated with practicing yoga? There are quite a few.
 
Yoga has been proven to improve blood circulation, the quality of breathing, and even digestion. So if you suffer from disorders like headaches, asthma, or stomach problems, yoga can help. Better blood circulation can also lead to healthier, glowing skin.
 
Along with strengthening muscles and bones, it helps make joints and spine more flexible. This leads to better posture and fewer backaches. You may also find that your joints feel less stiff.
 
Yoga won’t in and of itself help you lose weight. But it will help tone your body by building muscle strength.  So you’ll look fit even if your weight doesn’t change.
 
If you often feel tired and lack energy, yoga can help. With the interaction of exercise and breathing, yoga can energize and refresh you. You’re not exhausted at the end of a session of yoga, like you might be after a workout at the gym. Instead you’re feeling recharged and ready to meet the challenges of the day.
 
But not only does the body benefit from doing yoga, so does the mind. One of the major benefits of yoga is its ability to release tension and instead produce a peaceful state of mind. It’s pretty much impossible to do yoga and feel upset or angry. By its very nature, yoga leads you to feel calm and relaxed.
 
The deeper breathing and relaxation that are so much a part of yoga also help with both focus and concentration. For students this can lead to better performance in school. When you’re on the job, it can lead to greater productivity.
 
If you are someone who feels constantly stressed out, consider giving yoga a try. A person under stress tends to breathe lightly. With less oxygen getting to the brain, concentration is more difficult which can cause even more anxiety. With yoga, you learn to breathe more fully. This will help relieve stress and allow you to relax.
 
Yoga can even help if you find yourself unable to turn off your brain when you crawl into bed at night. Instead of tossing and turning, take some slow, deep breaths and try some of the relaxation exercises you do at the end of a yoga session.
 
These are only some of the many benefits of yoga. The great thing about yoga is that as soon as you get start doing it, you also start getting the benefits. 

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