The Benefits Of Yoga

Yoga has been in practice for centuries. In fact, it is believed to have started before the construct of any religious or belief systems, dating back to the beginning of civilization itself.

 

With the purpose of improving the strength of the mind, body, and soul – yoga has proven to be an effective therapy for a variety of health-related issues, wellness, and overall balance. Authority Healthhas more on how to look after your well-being.

 

Let’s take a look at some of the wonderful benefits yoga can provide.

Decrease Stress And Anxiety

Yoga is a known stress reliever that promotes relaxation and alleviates anxiety. Many studies and scientific findings have shown that this exercise can drastically reduce the body’s secretion of cortisol – which has been identified as a hormone that induces stress.

 

Because yoga is also seen as a form of meditation, it can be used in conjunction with other techniques to keep stress levels at bay.

 

It can also aid in managing anxiety. People who try to cope with their anxiety, through the practice of yoga found that it diminished their feelings of fear and distress, particularly after traumatic events.

 

Yoga has been prescribed as a coping mechanism for those suffering from PTSD. And while it is still not exactly clear how it works, this discipline can really aid those suffering from anxiety and stress.

Chronic Pain Relief

Chronic pain is caused by a long list of conditions, injuries, and illnesses. And is a constant problem for millions of people across the globe. With individuals, suffering from chronic pain, often seeking new coping methods, yoga has been suggested to help the body deal with various types of aches and pain.

 

Studies that looked at the effects of yoga on patients with osteoarthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome, found that after several weeks of regular yoga helped these individuals reduce their pain.

 

Improves Sleep Quality

Exercise, of any kind, is said to improve the quality of sleep. This is due to better circulation and more oxygen in the blood. Yoga is no different.

 

Lack of sleep, or poor sleep quality, has shown to be a contributor to high blood pressure, obesity, and depression.

 

The evidence suggests that by incorporating yoga into your daily life can greatly influence your sleep, in a positive way. It can make you fall asleep faster, sleep without waking up in the middle of the night and leave you well-rested in the morning.

 

By decreasing sleep disturbances, yoga has actually been found to be a good substitute for sleeping pills and medications, particularly for those trying to wean themselves off of these medical aids. This is because yoga increases the hormone melatonin, which helps to regulate sleep.

Strengthens The Body

Yoga can not only help you to improve your muscular flexibility but it will actually strengthen your body. When you think strength training, the image of weights may appear in your mind. However, several yoga poses have been specifically designed to build and reinforce muscles.

 

Improving athletic endurance, this form of exercise is also a great weight-loss technique that will help you burn fat. When used in conjunction with your normal workout routine, you will see improved results on all fronts.

Promotes Fertility

For those trying to fall pregnant, yoga has proven to be an effective fertility aid. Due to its ability to decrease stress and anxiety, studies have shown that yoga can increase a woman’s chances of conceiving.

 

As it improves circulation, it allows more blood to flow to the reproductive organs, which in turn promotes better organ and hormone functionality.

In Conclusion

As one of the oldest forms of exercise and meditation, yoga is not going anywhere in a hurry. And while health fads come and go – the lasting power of yoga speaks for itself.

 

Helping individuals the world over with weight-loss, to cope with depression, reduce their stress levels and improve their overall health – the benefits you can reap from yoga are endless.

 

Join a beginners class at your local gym or follow a few video workouts at home. You don’t need to bend your body into a pretzel on your very first go. Take your yoga journey at your own pace.

 

With so many advantages, who wouldn’t want to get their yoga mats out and give this beneficial exercise a try?

*This is a contributed post.