Yoga and meditation will transform your body, mind, and soul.

It’s an ancient practice that packs a range of benefits, and is still performed by over 20 million people today. When you begin yoga, you might notice the way you look and feel about yourself is improving. The more you do it, the better you’ll feel.

That’s because there is more to yoga than being flexible or fit, although it does help with those too. Keep reading to learn 9 benefits of yoga and how they will change your life.

1. Improves Mental Well-Being

You can improve your mental well-being through the practice of yoga. It helps alleviate stress patterns, sharpens your concentration, and relaxes the mind. Stress has direct consequences on the human body that can result in neck and back pain, drug abuse, and an inability to concentrate.

Yoga has been considered a holistic solution to these problems and is extremely effective at helping people develop coping skills. This means that those who practice are more likely to have a positive outlook on life and handle stress better than before.

2. Helps Fight Depression

Mental benefits stem from decreasing levels of cortisol in your body.

Cortisol is the stress hormone responsible for influencing the neurotransmitter that triggers depression. You can battle it with multiple types of yoga, specifically one that’ll focus on rhythmic breathing.

Based on the results of numerous studies, yoga, alone or combined with different treatment methods, can fight depression by manipulating the production of your body’s stress hormones.

3. Physical Appearance

An obvious benefit of this fitness routine is that you will see physical improvements within weeks of creating the new habit. The poses used in yoga are intended to flex and stretch various muscles, giving you a firmer and more toned appearance.

Those who are looking to lose weight can participate in active yoga to reach their goals. These sessions include extra movement and more difficult poses, along with focusing on strength and cardiovascular fitness to encourage your weight loss journey.

4. Increases Flexibility and Balance

Balance and flexibility play major roles in yoga. Balancing poses promote both physical and mental poise. Even when you struggle to maintain your balance, you learn to try again. Coordination is the key that can be formed through daily practice.

To become more flexible, there are various poses that will lengthen and stretch your muscles in a safe and effective way. These include:

• Big Toe Pose
• Child’s Pose
• Downward Facing Dog
• Garland Pose
• Reclining Hand to Big Toe
• Standing Forward Bend
• And more

By involving the included poses in your routine, you’ll increase your flexibility drastically. This will help you in other areas, as well.

5. Increases Athletic Ability

The benefits of yoga can extend into your athletic abilities. The mental benefits you enhance through this routine will help you focus on your goals and strategies. The strength you build will enable you to physically tackle problems head-on.

Once you’ve made it part of your daily routine, you’ll experience additional positive outcomes. For instance, your improved respiration and energy will improve your stamina, increasing your athletic ability even further. This means you’ll be able to stay active longer.

6. Improves Physical Health

One of the best things about yoga is that it improves your physical health. As you practice, you’ll feel more energized than ever. Your metabolism will become balanced and your circulatory health will improve. You’ll look and feel better than ever before.

Even beginners can participate without the fear of risking their health. Because the postures can be modified, you don’t have to worry as much about an accidental injury. 

7. Promotes Sleep Quality

Poor sleep can be a result of underlying health issues, such as depression or anxiety. By incorporating yoga into your daily routine, you’re battling common contributors to sleep disturbances and insomnia.

It’s not clear how, but yoga has been proven to increase levels of melatonin. This hormone regulates sleep. The combination of the melatonin’s release and yoga’s ability to battle other common contributions can promote sleep quality for those who participate.

Benefits for Kids

Kids can enjoy many of the same benefits of yoga as their parents do. Increased flexibility and balance, promoting sleep quality, improving focus and concentration, and boost their confidence. Studies have shown that it can especially benefit children who are on the spectrum or have ADHD.

A daily yoga program helps participants feel more at ease. In return, they’ll reduce stress, aggressive behavior, social withdrawals, and hyperactivity. Child yogis say the benefits of yoga for kids include helping them concentrate better and pay attention.

Other Benefits of Yoga

Yoga has been known to encourage weight control, but did you know it helps with mindful eating? As you grow more aware of your body, you’ll feel the difference in how your body feels during mealtime. And, you’ll notice it in the way you savor every flavor that touches your palate.

When you practice multiple times a week, you’ll begin to see an increase in your overall fitness.

Yoga can also help during addiction recovery. The Purpose Healing Center, for instance, use holistic treatments like yoga to help people struggling with addiction achieve long-term sobriety. 

Do the Yoga!

The benefits of yoga create a sense of calmness and mental clarity. The sessions typically include meditation, breathing exercises, and assuming postures that flex and stretch various muscles. This means that while you’re working on improving your appearance, you’re also reducing risk factors and lessening chronic pain.

Explore the health and fitness section on our website to learn more about yoga and it’s superpowers.