It seems as though workout fads come and go as often as the seasons. Yet one workout that has sustained popularity throughout the years is yoga. Yoga has been practiced for over 5,000 years and is still one of the most commonly used and popular workouts today.
Yoga is a workout that combines strengthening and stretching poses with deep, controlled breathing and meditation or relaxation. It is known to not only burn calories and tone muscles, but it is also a total mind-body workout. There are more than 100 different styles of yoga varying in intensity, making it easy for anyone to start their own regimen. The easiest and most familiar form of yoga is known as Hatha. Hatha is combination of basic movements with breathing. One of the most intense styles of yoga is known as Bikram. Bikram is also known as “hot yoga,“ which is a series of 26 of the most challenging poses performed inside of a heated room.
One of the greatest benefits of yoga is stress relief; stress negatively affects your mind and body in many different ways. Stress can have devastating effects on your thoughts, feelings, and even your behavior. Unfortunately, many people do not recognize how the effects of stress they endure in a day or even within their lifetime can profoundly impact their health. Stress can cause anxiousness, restlessness, lack of motivation, irritability and even sadness and depression. Even the simplest yoga poses can help eliminate many of these issues.
In addition to stress relief, yoga also helps to increase strength by using arm, leg, and back muscles to maintain each pose. Body weight training is one of the best ways to get you lean and fit and it’s also good for your muscles, joints, and bones. Yoga can also increase flexibility by regularly stretching your muscles and increasing range of motion. It is also said to lower blood pressure, improve heart rate and general awareness. Many people who regularly practice yoga have even reported that the exercise can even help with depression and even diabetes and the negative effects it can have on the body.
ADDITIONAL REASONS TO DO YOGA:
- Yoga helps you stay connected to yourself. In the fast pace of everyday life in Western culture, it is very easy to put our personal needs on the back burner-yoga helps us to pay more attention to what our body is telling us and brings about a greater sense of self-awareness.
- It improves sleep- even a simple 10 minute practice before bed can lead to a more restful sleep.
- In the same way, morning yoga practice allows us to gently wake up the muscles and digestive system, and to check in with ourselves before diving into our busy day.
- Yoga helps to fight against ailments associated with chronic overexertion such as inflammation, migraines and fatigue.
- Yoga classes serve as a great way to meet like-minded people in a positive environment.
- Yoga is approachable-with so many different styles of yoga, there is a level and fit for people of all ages and abilities.
- A commitment to yoga typically results in more conscious food choices-we become more inclined to nourish ourselves physically and mentally.
- A regular practice often makes people look more youthful. This can be attributed to the improved circulation that the stretches ignite.
The information provided is for general interest only and should not be misconstrued as a diagnosis, prognosis or treatment recommendation. This information does not in any way constitute the practice of medicine, or any other health care profession. Readers are directed to consult their health care provider regarding their specific health situation. Marque Medical is not liable for any action taken by a reader based upon this information.