Yoga has exploded in popularity recently and you probably have tried some form of it. Here are some of the Top Yoga Health Benefits you will be delighted to get for your efforts. You may think that yoga is a new trend, but it’s actually been around for over 5,000 years. Yoga originated in India, but more recently, the western world has realized that you can get some great health benefits from yoga. You can use yoga to help you stretch, work your muscles, get in touch with your body, relax, and reduce your stress levels. You may also be able to reverse some of the effects of aging, such as joint pain and restricted movement.
The Best Health Benefits of Yoga
You can get many health benefits from as little as one yoga session. But, you’ll notice the most significant results after 10 to 12 weeks of regular sessions. You can get a lot of these health benefits from many other types of exercise. However, yoga is a very low-impact activity, so you’re less likely to injure yourself in yoga than with strength training or other fitness programs. Here are just a few of the best health benefits that you can get from yoga:
1. Reduce Stress
The deep breathing exercises that you do in yoga can have a calming effect that will reduce your stress levels. The stretching exercises can also help relieve tension in your muscles and leave you feeling more relaxed.
2. Reduce Anxiety
Stress and anxiety often go hand-in-hand. So, when you reduce your stress levels, you’ll also likely reduce your anxiety. Many doctors recommend regular exercise to help combat anxiety and depression. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which improve your mood and can increase your feelings of well-being. You can get these endorphins from yoga or any other form of exercise. However, yoga is an especially good option for reducing anxiety because of the calm, deep breathing exercises that can help you relax.
3. Alleviate and Improve Depression
Yoga can also help alleviate depression. In addition to the endorphins, your body also releases more serotonin when you exercise. Serotonin is released from your pineal gland and increases your feelings of happiness. Certain yoga postures flush your pineal gland with oxygenated blood, which improves its function helps stabilize your moods.
4. Improve Your Balance and Flexibility
Many yoga poses strengthen the muscles that help you balance. The stretching exercises also improve your flexibility. This increased balance and flexibility will reduce your risk of many different kinds of injuries.
5. Improve Your Posture
Yoga also strengthens your spine and core muscles, which will improve your posture. If you practice yoga regularly, you’ll notice that it’s easier and more comfortable to sit and stand straight.
6. Reduce the Frequency of Headaches
A lot of the headaches you get are likely caused by tension in your neck and shoulders. Many yoga postures can help relieve tension and tightness in these areas. As these muscles relax, blood flow increases and you’ll experience fewer headaches. Studies have also shown that you’ll likely experience less frequent and less intense migraines if you practice yoga regularly. Your regular yoga sessions may even be more effective than medications for your migraines. Don’t stop taking medications without talking to your doctor first, though.
7. Lower Your Blood Pressure
You can lower your blood pressure by practicing yoga regularly. Many of the poses help improve your circulation, which can also benefit your cardiovascular health.
8. Reduce Digestive Problems
Yoga can increase blood flow to your organs, which will help improve symptoms of common digestive disorders such as irritable bowel disorder (IBS). You can use yoga to reduce bloating and help your digestive system move smoothly. You may also find that when you practice yoga regularly, you’ll reduce your cravings for junk food. If you start eating a healthier diet, you’ll likely notice fewer digestive problems.
9. Reduce Constipation
When you focus on your breathing in yoga, you can relax your central nervous system. This increases a process called peristalsis, which moves processed food through your digestive system and out of your body. Certain postures also increase blood flow to your colon, further aiding your digestive process.
10. Improve Arthritis
Yoga is a great exercise option if you suffer from arthritis. The controlled exercises can help alleviate joint stiffness and increase your mobility.
11. Reduce Insomnia
A number of yoga postures focus on increasing blood flow through your pineal gland, which is where melatonin is released. Melatonin is the hormone that induces deep sleep, so you can use yoga to reduce your insomnia and get a better night’s sleep.
Before You Start Yoga
There are many different forms of yoga and they are all not the same. To learn the history of yoga and the most common forms check out this article. What You Need To Know Before You Start Yoga For the First Time.
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