Yoga is one of the oldest forms of structured exercise. Workout fads come and go, but people have been practicing yoga for the past 5,000 years. And every year, more and more people take up the practice of yoga. Why has yoga prevailed over the years? Are there any health benefits from practicing yoga? Yes, there are several health benefits of yoga! Indeed, yoga is the most commonly used complement to traditional medicine in the U.S., with many medical centers now adopting yoga as a complementary therapy alongside other treatments. Because yoga is so ancient, it is often shrouded in mystery. Therefore, there needs to be more clarification about yoga. But before we look at the 12 health benefits of yoga, let’s look at what yoga is and isn’t.
What is Yoga?
Yoga is an encompassing exercise that combines physical, mental, and spiritual practices to interconnect the mind, body, and soul to improve a person’s total health. “Yoga” loosely means “union” and represents the unity of body and consciousness.
There are more than 100 different types of yoga. Some popular ones are Vinyasa flow, Hatha Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and Ashtanga Yoga. Most Yoga sessions will include breathing exercises, meditation, and assuming postures that stretch and flex various muscle groups.
Yoga is not religion. You can reap yoga’s health benefits regardless of your religious beliefs.
As you can see, yoga is more than stretching. In addition to stretching, yoga increases your core strength and balance and promotes a greater mind/body connection.
Now, let’s see how yoga benefits our total health – body, soul, and spirit.
12 health benefits of Yoga
1) Increased flexibility, strength, and balance
As we age, we become less flexible, making us more prone to injuries. Studies show that yoga improves flexibility. Yoga also increases our strength and balance so we can continue to carry out our desired activities as we age.
2) Stress relief
If you are feeling stressed out, try yoga. The science supports that yoga is excellent at reducing stress
3) Pain reduction
Yoga can help relieve chronic pain, including back pain, headaches, and arthritis pain.
4) Improved heart health
Yoga is excellent for your heart and reduces heart disease because it lowers your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels.
5) Improved mental health
Yoga reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety. Practicing Yoga can increase your mental and physical energy and brighten your mood. In fact, studies show that yoga may be an effective complementary treatment for depression.
6) Better sleep
The relaxation techniques of yoga help you sleep better and avoid insomnia.
7) Improved sexual function
Studies show that yoga enhances sexual function in women by increasing sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, and general overall satisfaction.
8) Better self-esteem and body image
Studies show that yoga may be associated with improved body satisfaction and self-esteem.
9) Improved bone health
As we age, we experience bone loss, leading to the weakening of our bones. This bone loss can lead to osteoporosis. Fortunately, yoga can help prevent or reverse the bone loss associated with aging. And you only need just 12 minutes of yoga per day to obtain this benefit of improved bone health
10) Weight management
Yoga can help you maintain a healthy body weight. Regularly practicing yoga can improve your metabolism, suppress your appetite, and help you burn fat faster.
11) Delayed aging
Do you want to slow down the aging process and turn back the hand of time? Try Yoga! Studies show that practicing yoga with meditation can delay aging and prevent the onset of many diseases. Meditation, by itself, has health benefits. No wonder meditation has also become very popular over the years. For more on meditation, check out “13 Ways Meditation can Improve your Health.”
12) Improved memory and reduced risk of dementia
Yoga helps improve “brain fitness.” Regularly practicing yoga can improve your memory and reduce your risk of developing memory loss or dementia.
Where to start
If you already practice yoga regularly, congratulations, you are well on your journey to better health. If you have never practiced yoga, here is some good news – It’s never too late to start. I recommend starting with a beginner yoga class, virtually or in person. Also, check out YouTube videos for beginner yoga exercises. Yoga can be a bit complex, especially advanced yoga practices. For example, there are numerous basic Asanas or yoga poses and many different styles of yoga. Therefore, yoga can be very confusing for beginners.
But, in the good news department, your yoga poses or practice can be as simple as you want it to be. You don’t have to assume complex postures to get all the 12 health benefits of yoga described above and more. The most important thing is to practice stillness, breathing exercises, meditation, and poses that stretch and flex your various muscle groups.
Final thoughts
Although the benefits of yoga are immense, yoga is not one of my favorite forms of exercise. At first, I did not know why I avoided yoga so much. But I finally figured it out. I do not enjoy the idea that after a 1-hour yoga session, I may have only taken 20 steps and burned less than 100 calories. My mind and body are opposed to spending so much time being still.
However, taking the time for stillness is essential. We all need that time of stillness and meditation to rejuvenate and refocus. That is how we can handle life’s stresses better and keep standing, no matter what. But, like most people, I want to be up and going and get things done. Our world is so frantic that we feel we haven’t accomplished anything whenever we take time for stillness. Therefore, I have to continue to work on my mindset so I can practice yoga more regularly.
Finally, as with anything else, the more you practice yoga, the better you get at it. So, don’t give up if you feel awkward or silly when you assume your poses. And try not to overextend yourself at the beginning to avoid injuries.
So, where are you on your yoga journey? Are you a newbie, intermediate, or advanced yoga practitioner? Wherever you are on your health, wellness, and fitness journey, I am cheering you on.
Please feel free to leave your comments below and also share this article.
Yours in health and fitness,
Doctor Abi
