Is Yoga Really Good for You?

person doing yoga in front of sun silhoutte

Many people who practise yoga do so because of its health benefits, but how much scientific proof is there that yoga is good for you?

Yoga is an ancient form of exercise but still holds bountiful health benefits to our bodies.

It is among the few activities that engage both the mind and the body at the same time. It encompasses breathing techniques that help the body relax. It also entails taking up poses that can help in proper toning of the body. People from everywhere in the world take part in yoga classes either full time or partially.

Those who have been practising yoga for several years can attest that it has changed their life in a good way. Some yoga poses may be dangerous for some people; it is, therefore, advisable for each person to know his or her limits when it comes to practising yoga. This article will highlight some of the reasons why yoga is good for you.

Yoga Improves the Quality of Sleep

The body can only function properly when we get enough sleep. Those who take part in yoga lessons are more likely to sleep faster. This comes as a result of being relaxed minutes before going to bed.

Yoga promotes the production of melatonin, a hormone that has the ability to control our sleep cycle. When the body has enough melatonin, we will spend more hours sleeping, thereby allowing us to wake up feeling more relaxed. If the body is low on this hormone, a person is likely to have irregular sleep cycles whereby they stay awake for very long hours.

Yoga Makes you Flexible

group of people doing yoga at a parkYoga has so many poses, and each pose can benefit you physiologically, especially when done correctly. By taking part in various yoga asana, you subject your body to postures that make you more flexible.

As a result, you will be in a better position to do things that you maybe weren’t able to do before. It can also help those who are old to regain their lost flexibility. When the body is flexible, it is less likely to strain when a person takes part in activities that are physically demanding.

Improves Breathing

A good number of people rely on thoracic breathing which involves taking in shallow breaths. This breathing technique is the natural way we breathe, but it is not as good as some people may think. As such, it limits the amount of oxygen that is taken to the lungs lowering the vital capacity.

Some types of yoga like Vinyasa yoga have a heavy focus on diaphragmatic breathing. Taking part in diaphragmatic breathing is a breathing technique that boosts your lung capacity. Having a high vital capacity improves stamina and endurance.

Reduces Anxiety

Research has shown that those who do yoga have a high tolerance for anxiety. One reason is that yoga allows a person to only focus on the present moment and not the past or the future. When this is done repeatedly, the brain will rewire itself to pay more attention to what is currently happening rather than focusing on traumatic events. It is for this reason that some people start taking up yoga classes.

Having less anxiety clouding your mind allows you to take control of your life in many aspects and helps in developing leadership skills.

Yoga Makes you Stronger

As a physical activity, yoga activates various muscles in the body, allowing them to expand. When this happens, your muscles build endurance and can take on more physically challenging activities.

Certain yoga poses have also been found to improve muscle mass and quality, giving the body added strength. If incorporated correctly into our daily routine, yoga can rapidly boost our physical power.

This can particularly apply to cases where yoga is paired up with another form of physical exercise.

You should have clear goals that you intend to achieve before signing up for a yoga class. This will help you determine if yoga is really good for you.