Health Benefits of Yoga

The hectic modern lifestyle  is affecting many people both physically and mentally. A sedentary lifestyle and regular consumption of junk food and sugary drinks has an impact on the health of both adults and kids. It is therefore no wonder that obesity has become a scourge in the US and other countries. To add to the woes, most of us are under stress due to workplace pressures, daily traffic jams, pollution etc. Thus, the modern man is harried physically and mentally. The antidote to these problems to some extent lies in the ancient Indian art called yoga. Read on to learn all about the numerous health benefits of yoga.

 Physical Benefits of Yoga

• Yoga can help you stay slim and trim, and avoid obesity.
• Yoga can promote proper digestion, healthy bowel movements and easy elimination. 
• You can improve your energy levels through yoga and pranayama.
  Regular yoga practice can increase joint mobility, flexibility, stamina and strength.
• Yoga helps to improve posture and can increase your self-confidence.
• Deep breathing exercises improve lung capacity, and can enhance endurance and sports performance.
• Yoga promotes heart health by slowing down the heart rate.
• Research reveals that yoga is an effective antidote to many physical ailments including high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, back pain and asthma.
• The practice of yoga nidra (yogic sleep) can help insomnia sufferers by relieving tension and providing sound sleep.
• Seniors can benefit from yoga as certain poses can improve their balance and steadiness.

Benefits of Yoga

• Mindful yoga practice can increase your awareness about your body and mind.
• Yoga can help to promote relaxation and ward off stress.
• Regular practice of yoga and meditation can give you supreme peace of mind.
• You can overcome negative emotions like fear, anxiety, tension, depression etc through yoga practice.
• Students can benefit as yoga can improve their concentration and attention span.
• Regular yoga practice can improve mood, and you will be able to maintain calmness and composure even in the most trying situations.
• Yoga promotes positive thoughts and you learn to accept yourself and others as they are.

Precautions About Yoga

Many people, especially in the West, think yoga is merely a physical form of exercise  or a set of gymnastic postures. They concentrate on the physical aspects of yoga, while ignoring the mental and spiritual aspects. In the West, many hybrid forms of yoga have been invented and are thriving because yoga is seen as a means to attain a sexy and toned body. The danger of such thinking is that practitioners can overstretch themselves or try to perform complicated poses, thereby inviting injury. To gain the maximum health benefits of yoga, learn the poses and techniques from a qualified teacher and practice them with mindfulness. Do not overstretch yourself, but stay within your physical limitations to avoid the risk of injury.

 Summary

I hope the numerous health benefits of yoga enumerated in this article will motivate you to start practicing yoga regularly. Please understand that the gym maxim “No pain, no gain” does not apply to yoga. If you feel discomfort or pain while doing a pose, stop immediately and consult your teacher. Practice yoga and pranayama with mindfulness to reap rich health benefits.