Yoga is more than a workout program that keeps you strong and flexible, it is a lifestyle, a philosophy that comes from ancient Indian wisdom. This natural method can elevate your energy level, enhance your concentration skills, improve your body awareness, make you balanced and improve your control over your body, spirit and mind. Its original purpose is to reach inner peace and spiritual knowledge. Yoga is for India what Chi Kung is for China. Yoga also has several health benefits.
#1 Brain Training Practice
Yoga is a stellar brain training practice. Stress may damage your brain functions, in particular, in the prefrontal cortex. Mindfulness can help your brain deal with the negative effects. A Harvard study has proven that awareness has something to do with an elevated gray matter density, amongst other areas, in the prefrontal cortex. It means yoga can change the way your brain reacts to stress.
#2 Improve Your Posture
Research has shown that yoga techniques improve your posture. Yoga strengthens your core muscles. Bad posture can lead to spine problems and a chronic pain in your back. Your spinal column is the core of your nervous system. Studies have proven that a great posture can keep you healthier and stronger. People who always slouch are more likely to break their bones as they are getting older. They may lose balance easier. Bad posture causes shallow breathing, which leads to respiratory problems. Persons with bad posture are 44% more likely to die earlier.
#3 Stretching
Yoga is a great stretching workout. Yoga poses can increase your flexibility. According to professional running trainers, yoga has amazing restorative effects.
#4 Â Lung Capacity
It improves your lung capacity, whether you are healthy or you live with respiratory problems like asthma.
#5 Accelerates Your Metabolism
It accelerates your metabolism. Many yoga exercises deal with the core of human body, a part of the body that is close to the organs of metabolism: heart, stomach, liver, lungs. This is how yoga affects your blood circulation, digestion and respiration.
#6 Treats Cardiovascular Issues
It helps treat cardiovascular issues like heart attack, coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis. According to M. Mala Cunningham, Ph.D., founder of Cardiac Yoga, practicing yoga can prevent or treat heart problems. It cannot make an already developed heart disease disappear, but you will experience improvement.
#7 Makes You Strong
Yoga makes you stronger and more athletic. It helps build your muscles and it keeps them firm and toned.
#8 Durability
It makes you durable. It can enhance your mental and physical performance. With your elevated energy level, better circulation and better breathing, you will feel more energetic.
#9 Lose Weight
It helps you lose weight. With your increased metabolism, your body will burn more calories.
#10 Prevent Injuries
It prevents possible injuries. It improves your balance, so you will be less likely to fall and break bones. It helps relax tight, sore muscles, it makes you flexible, so you will not injure your muscles when you stretch them or overburden them.