Yoga is an effective exercise that helps you strengthen your muscles and soothe your body and mind. Yoga not only helps you relax and feel at ease, but also new research shows it produces many outstanding physical and mental health benefits.
Here are some of the many benefits of doing yoga:
- Reduces stress – Yoga focuses on meditation and helps you forget about your hectic day and any problems you may be coping with. The relaxing activity is scientifically proven to reduce stress and anxiety. According to a recent study at the University of California, participants who did yoga for 12 minutes a day for 8 weeks experienced a lowered response in their immune systems’ inflammation. Inflammation occurs when the body is overstressed and is a major contributor to many stress-related chronic diseases.
- Improves cognitive functions – In addition to reducing stress, another study suggests yoga can improve your cognitive function. According to a study at the University of Illinois, doing just 20 minutes of yoga a day helps increase your brain function and improve your concentration and ability to retain information.
- Helps people manage bipolar disorder – According to the Journal of Psychiatric Practice, doing yoga can help people manage bipolar disorder. The study surveyed a group of 100 people and asked them to rate how yoga has impacted their lives and helped their ability to cope with bipolar disorder. Most participants reported yoga provided positive emotional effects and reduced anxiety, and one in five people called yoga life-changing.
- Boosts flexibility – When you perform yoga poses you are stretching your muscles, which helps you loosen your muscles and become more flexible. Research shows people who did yoga for just
- 8 weeks in
creased their flexibility by 35%. Imagine what doing yoga regularly could do. - Increases Muscle tone – While yoga is a calming activity, it’s also very physical. Many yoga poses enhance your core and increase your muscle tone. These poses help you build strength in your hamstrings, upper body, quadriceps, abs, and lower back.
- Better posture –Yoga involves several standing and sitting poses, which requires you to use your muscles. You work your muscles to maintain these poses, which helps you become more flexible and strong, as well as improve your posture. Yoga helps you develop a stronger core and become more consciousness of your body. By practicing yoga, you’ll be more inclined to stand tall and sit straight up.
As you can see, yoga produces many physical and mental benefits that can improve your health and overall wellbeing. To get the most out of your yoga experience, shop for yoga gear online and make yoga apart of your daily routine.