This exercise typically utilizes meditation, poses, and breathing exercises that, when combined together promotes relaxation of the body and mind, while noticeably reducing stress!
Regularly practising is believed by many to offer the body and mind many potential benefits. Some of these are backed by facts, while others, not so much.
It is hard to argue against adding this activity to your daily routine, either way. To highlight a few great reasons women should do it every day, we’ve brought together 15 yoga benefits for your body and mind:
15 YOGA BENEFITS:
1. REDUCES FEELINGS OF STRESS
One great reason to make this practice a part of your daily routine is due to its amazing stress reduction abilities!
Quite a few studies have been done that have concluded it has the ability to significantly reduce the hormone primarily responsible for stress, cortisol!
One such study looked at 24 women who felt they were under emotional stress. Following a three month program that included this practice, the women’s cortisol levels were shown to be much lower! As a result, they reported fewer feelings of anxiety and fatigue, and stress and depression symptoms were reduced as well!
2. REDUCES SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY
If you are a particularly anxious person, it may be just the thing you need to get your feelings under wraps! Many practitioners of this great exercise report significant reductions in their anxiety symptoms as a result of starting up the habit!
Much research has been done on this topic, and the results show promise! In one of these studies, 34 women who were diagnosed with anxiety were observed. They took bi-weekly classes over the course of a two month period and, in the end, their anxiety was markedly reduced!
3. REDUCES INFLAMMATION
Aside from some of the mental benefits of this amazing practice, it has the possibility to lower your body’s inflammation!
If you’re unfamiliar with inflammation, it is a normal function of your body’s immune system. Too much inflammation though, and you are at risk of developing many inflammatory diseases including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease!
During one study, people who regularly practised this were compared to those who didn’t. At the study’s conclusion, it was found that those who regularly practised had much lower levels of inflammation than those that didn’t!
4. IMPROVES THE HEALTH OF YOUR HEART
Another great reason to adopt this daily habit is that it has been found to be beneficial to the health of your heart! Heart health is vitally important. A healthy functioning heart ensures that your body is being adequately supplied the essential nutrients it needs!
One study looked at regular practitioners over the age of 40 who had stuck with the habit for 5 years or more. It was observed that members of this group of individuals had noticeably lower heart rates and blood pressure!
It is also believed that it has the ability to slow down heart disease progression, according to some research!
5. IMPROVES YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE
No matter how happy and great your life already is, further improving the quality of your life is always a great objective to set your mind to! If you’re seeking out improvements to the quality of your life then consider adopting this regular practice!
Researchers looked at 135 seniors and separated them into 3 different groups. One group was to walk for 6 months, another was to practice yoga, and the other was designated the control group. At the end of the study, it was found that those who maintained this practice were in much better moods, less fatigued, and felt their quality of life had been improved more overall, than those of the other groups!
6. REDUCES SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION
If you find yourself feeling down in the dumps more often than not, consider adopting this daily practice!
Plenty of research has been done which has shown that it can have a anti-depressant effect and may reduce symptoms of depression in many!
Some studies show that it may have an anti-depressant effect and could help decrease symptoms of depression.
Due to it’s potential to reduce your levels of cortisol, depression symptoms are reported to be lower in many individuals! Following one study, after two weeks of regular practice, levels of cortisol and depression symptoms were noted to be lower in study participants!
7. REDUCES CHRONIC PAIN
If you suffer from chronic pain, this may be just what you need to start feeling better! With millions of people suffering from chronic pain, the need for a natural, holistic, method of relief is a greatly needed!
Lots of research is being done on this topic, and this practice is showing signs of being a great way of accomplishing this task!
In one of these studies, 42 participants who suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome were either instructed to wear a wrist splint, or practice this amazing exercise for 2 months. Following the study’s conclusion, it was found that those who wore the wrist splint realized pain relief and improvements to their physical function to a lesser degree than those who did the exercise!
8. IMPROVES YOUR SLEEP QUALITY
Sleep and sleep quality should be a priority in everyone’s life! It’s often found these days that people put sleep on the back burner, prioritizing other aspects of their life instead, much to their detriment!
Not getting enough quality sleep has been shown to increase the likelihood of one developing high blood pressure, depression, obesity, and a variety of other ailments!
A few studies have been done on yoga’s practice and it was found that it had the ability to improve the quality of your sleep!
9. IMPROVES YOUR BALANCE AND FLEXIBILITY
Another aspect of our lives that is often overlooked is our balance and flexibility. This is a mistake though, especially as we age! Having solid balance significantly reduces our chances of falling and injuring ourselves as we age, and improving your flexibility is another great way to minimize chances of an injury.
In one study, 66 senior participants were instructed to either do this exercise, or another form of body weight exercise. Following a year of this activity, flexibility was improved by up to 4 times in the group who did yoga!
10. IMPROVES YOUR BREATHING
A focus on the breath and on breathing exercises is a key aspect of yoga’s practice. Quite a few studies have been done which found this focus on the breath may offer you improved breathing overall!
In one of these studies, 287 students took a class over the course of 15 weeks where yoga’s breathing exercises and poses were practised. Following the study’s conclusion, their vital capacity was improved dramatically!
In a similar study, yoga’s breathing exercises was determined to improve the function of the lungs and the symptoms in those who suffered from asthma!