15 Health Benefits of Yoga

It’s no surprise that yoga has health benefits. Yoga works wonders for both the mind and body, with the unique power to integrate and relax the whole body. Many people even use yoga as a medicine to help overcome certain health issues, such as back pain or anxiety. Research on these more specific effects and uses of yoga continues to develop, and science is showing the magic of yoga.

We all know yoga is great for keeping our bodies supple and relaxing our nervous system – but did you know the many other health benefits it offers? Read on to discover just a few ways yoga can transform your health and prepare you for a lifetime of happiness.

become more flexible

Yoga is known for its twists and pretzel poses. But you see flexible yogis who don’t start out flexible, and their yoga practice helps them become more flexible over time. Many people shy away from yoga because they think they are too stiff or inflexible to do any poses. But yoga is just what they need! Almost any yoga pose can be modified to any level of flexibility, and with consistent practice, you will find your flexibility improving.

find your balance

Similar to flexibility, yoga trains the body to be more balanced. It’s not something you have to be born with, but regular yoga practice will help you develop strength in all muscle groups to maintain stability and balance.

Not only will yoga help you maintain graceful balance in the classroom, but it will also help you find your mental balance. Mastering the mind can be difficult, but yoga brings us closer to a meditative state that can help improve our mood and well-being. Most people notice an emotional release after a yoga class because they’ve let go of their usual chatter and focused on the task at hand.

A regular yoga practice will help you find balance in your daily life. Most of our lives are busy, filled with constant judgment, decision-making, reaction and planning. Yoga takes us to a place of stillness, introspection and focus. On the mat, we can let go of those distractions and spend some time in the here and now.

Strong Bones, Joints & Muscles

A balanced yoga sequence involves all parts of the body. We stretch and strengthen each area while adding circulation to repair all of them. Yoga is ineffective and can vary from person to person. This means that even people with medical issues or problem spots can find a yoga style that works for them and helps them build strength. Plus, yoga asanas can even help increase bone cell production, cartilage health, and improve synovial fluid flow in joints—all of which contribute to an overall healthy physique.

relieve your pain and discomfort

Yoga is an excellent way to self-manage pain. Because of yoga’s gentle nature, it can be a form of exercise you can use when dealing with an injury or disability. One of the most common reasons people turn to yoga is for back pain, and it has been shown to have a dramatic effect on back healing. Other common ailments that yoga can help with include sciatica, neck pain, chest tightness, temporomandibular joint pain, ankle pain, menstrual pain, migraines, and more. If you’re having specific problems, be sure to let your yoga teacher know before class so he or she can help you make the best adjustments to ease your pain.

improve posture

Yoga is great for keeping your spine in tip-top shape. In addition to relieving back pain and strengthening the spine, yoga helps maintain proper posture. Are you leaning or shaking your back? These problems can lead to long-term back problems, but yoga can help with them. Yoga is so focused on proper posture that you may find yourself sitting and standing straighter even after a few sessions. With consistent practice, your body will naturally find better posture habits, and your spine will thank you.

release stress

One of the greatest benefits of yoga for us is its ability to help us let go. Let go of our breath, let go of our attachments, let go of our physical and mental tension. As we move through asanas, we open and close, bend and straighten our bodies. All of this movement, along with the focused movement of breathing, helps us release unwanted tension in our body. Often this tension is held in areas such as the shoulders, jaw, or arms, while others find they hold it in the back or calves. No matter the region, yoga can help us relax our body and mind.

Promotes healthy blood circulation

Many lifestyle or health issues can cause poor circulation. Many of us sit at a desk all day working or have long commutes. For others, it may be the result of other problems, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Poor circulation can lead to problems such as cold extremities, numbness, swelling, muscle cramps, and malnutrition of the hair and skin.

Yoga is the perfect solution to poor circulation. It helps to gently move blood throughout the body, and certain poses can even be used to target specific areas (for example, try the legs against the wall pose to increase blood flow to the abdomen). After a yoga session, your entire body will benefit from increased body movement and blood flow.

support your immune system

Lifestyle imbalances such as high stress, poor sleep, and long working hours can easily damage our bodies. One of the ways this affects b