Ever wondered why you love yoga so much? Or are you one of the few people who’ve never tried it?
Whenever I skip my yoga I find I ache. Like most people, I spend my working hours sitting down at a desk and it’s definitely not good for you! Yoga helps to correct the daily damage I do to my body!
8 Reasons Why Yoga Is Good For You
#1 Lowers Stress + Boosts Your Moods
In our high-stress world, any activity that helps you switch off and reduce your anxiety levels has to get a thumbs up. Yoga is good for you, it’s a terrific way of unwinding. It’s also known to boost your moods and a morning yoga session can set you up for the rest of the day.
#2 Reduces Injury Risk
It’s a low-impact sport which means it’s gentle on the body. It also helps prevent injury from other sports by correcting muscle imbalances. It’s a great way to restore the body to balance and symmetry.
#3 Helps You Lose Weight
All exercise will help you burn calories and anyone who’s been to an advanced yoga class will agree it’s as strenuous as any fitness workout. The advantage of this form of exercise is the way it increases your body awareness. Unlike other sports (such as running which boosts your appetite), yoga poses work to suppress your food cravings. So you’re less likely to reach for that post-workout treat!
#4 Improves Flexibility
Watch a young child playing and marvel at their flexibility. By the time we’re young adults, we spend most of our waking hours sitting and our bodies are neglected. Yoga can help you recover the flexibility of your youth.
#5 Terrific For Posture
Maybe we no longer rate posture highly enough to walk around with books balanced on our heads. However, good posture is not only attractive, it’s essential for a healthy spine. Avoid trips to the chiropractor with regular practice.
#6 Builds Muscle Tone
Heading for the gym isn’t the only way to build muscle tone and strength. Think about it – lifting your body weight in a pose will make you strong!
#7 Helps Your Breathing
Stressful, chaotic lives can lead to shortness of breath. We literally forget how to breathe properly! Mindfulness will reconnect you with your body and your natural breathing.
#8 Good For Your Bones
Osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease, will cause approximately half of women age 50 and older to break a bone. Yoga is good for you as a way to build protective bone mass. Start now – it’s easier to build bone mass before you hit menopause.
How To Take Up Yoga
The best place to start learning is with a qualified instructor in a yoga studio. When you’re new it’s important to start with a beginner class. Different teachers will have different styles, so sometimes it takes a while to find a teacher that’s a good match for you.
If you can’t get to a studio, or you want to try out yoga at home first, there’s a huge selection of free videos on YouTube. These are some of the best online yoga channels.
