Yoga is not a session of physical activity and exercise. It’s a way of life. And the regular practice of yoga can help you reap a lot of benefits from it. And the benefits are not confined to the body alone; you also see a boost in your mental health.
Although there are many benefits of yoga that you can subject yourself to, by practicing regularly, here are some fantastic health benefits of yoga that will surprise you. Have a look-
1. Talking about the most obvious benefits of yoga, we have to mention flexibility. But don’t expect to achieve this flexibility in the first class itself. As you work your way up, you’ll be able to realise that your flexibility has increased manifold. With so much of flexibility, your body will feel much lighter and more capable. It is not just in your yoga classes that your flexibility will help you, you will be able to benefit in many other fields with your improved flexibility. If you are a sports person, then this flexibility will prove to be a boon for you.
2. Yes, yoga does not require you to lift weights, but it builds your muscle strength in a unique manner. All the asanas that you do in yoga put your muscles to work. And that is why their strength gets a boost. So, yoga is a kind of body exercise that doesn’t just give you muscle strength, but also the flexibility of the body, which is something you cannot achieve from doing weight training in the gym or other physical exercises. Physical strength is not just a fancy requirement bodybuilders need to entertain the audience; it is something that improves your life in totality. With greater strength, you will be able to do your household chores in a more efficient way. Besides, you will not get easily tired, no matter what physical activity you engage in.
3. Yoga is a great way to perfect your posture. Doing yoga postures is all about maintaining a good balance. Since yoga teaches your body to strike the right balance, your posture corrects automatically. The reason why you need to maintain the right posture is that the wrong posture can cause a great deal of damage to your body. Our body has so many joints, muscles, and other delicate things, that any mistake you make in the matter of posture can prove really hazardous to it. So, doing asanas in the correct postures is highly important.
4. Yes, there are many yoga poses that ensure spine health. But it’s not specialized yoga poses that you need to protect your spine. Yoga as a whole offers your spine a good massage and protection. With regular practice, your spine health will increase hundredfold. Maintaining the health of your spine is extremely important. All the nerves that help your body function are connected to the spine. Any problem in its functioning can make your body lifeless in the worst-case scenario, and that is why engaging in yoga is so important. Without it, your spine doesn’t get the necessary care.
5. When you engage in a daily yoga practice, your immunity gets a boost over time. With a great immunity, you fall sick less frequently and your body feels great all the time. Even petty diseases like cold, cough and flu can’t attack you easily. And isn’t it a great idea to stay free from diseases by doing something as interesting and valuable as yoga? Well, yes! And it’s not just trivial diseases that you can ward off with yoga; some yogis claim that its regular practice can cure even more stubborn health problems.
6. Yoga works on your mental health like magic. When you do yoga regularly, you feel happier. It might not happen overnight but you will definitely see a change in your mood after a couple of months or years of practice. Your body and mind have a deep connection. One is nothing without the other. And that is why it’s not just important to look after your body, nurturing and doing good things for your mind is also extremely important. Thankfully, yoga takes a holistic approach. It’s not just great for the body but also for the mind. With regular practice, you will feel at great ease.
7. A lot of people suffer from sleep disorders. Sadly, it’s not that easy to cure them. Although medicines are available, they can cause harm over time. So, the best way out is to do yoga to better your sleep.
These are some of the most amazing health benefits of yoga. If you are a yoga practitioner, then you must have experienced many of these benefits already. If, however, you haven’t yet engaged in yoga, then it’s high time you did because the benefits of yoga mentioned above are waiting to be yours.
Author’s Bio
Devakar Sandhu is an expert yoga trainer with years of valuable experience. He is passionate not just about yoga but also about yoga teacher in India. His long association with Ekam Yogahsala makes him an able yoga instructor.