With the first week of the New Year underway, many are looking at ways to get fit. In my last couple of blogs I talked about the benefits of cardio and flexibility exercises.
In this blog we are going to look at the benefits of yoga.
First, you might want to know what exactly yoga is. It originates in India, attributed to the Hindus, as a way to discipline oneself physically, mentally and spiritually. Now because of my religious beliefs, I don’t get into the “spiritual” aspect of it, although for some this may be just what they want.
So I do eliminate some of the exercises. However, in general there are some benefits to yoga that you should be aware of.
Yoga improves flexibility. I already touched on flexibility in my last blog, but it’s important to know how yoga can not only stretch your muscles but your tendons and ligaments. It is an overall body stretch.
Another benefit to yoga is that it can improve your strength. Some of the positions will help you build strength in your abdominal muscles, lower back, hamstrings and quadriceps. You can actually improve your core strength overall by doing yoga exercises correctly.
Yoga can also help improve your posture. A stronger core will prevent slumping and slouching. Breathing is another benefit to yoga. There really is a correct way to breathe, which can improve lung capacity.
Some of the other benefits to yoga include improved mood, concentration, heart health, and is an overall stress reliever. Some believe that yoga can reduce symptoms of chronic health conditions like arthritis or asthma.
The “National Institutes of Health” has conducted studies in which they found that yoga can improve the quality of life for those who suffer from insomnia or multiple sclerosis. And there are many other benefits that some have attributed to yoga, such as improving relationships.
The best way to find out if you would benefit from yoga is to try it out yourself. It isn’t for everyone but it might be worth a try.
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