The Benefits of Practicing Yoga

For thousands of years, yoga has been a significant part of everyday life in the eastern hemisphere. All this time, the people living in this part of the world have been aware that yoga is a means to experience something deeper within yourself. They have also used it as a tool to ensure their well-being and near-perfect health.

“Yoga is the dance of every cell with the music of every breath that creates inner serenity and harmony.”

Debasish Mridha

In the more modern times, typically in the western hemisphere, yoga has been adopted by people in droves. Although these are just the beginner steps in the journey of yoga, yoga asanas have tremendous benefits for practitioners. Below, we take a look at some of the most important ones.

1) Yoga Asanas Enhance Your Flexibility

This one is perhaps the most apparent. Any physical activity is bound to improve the range of movements you can perform. As you practice various asanas, it opens up your muscles and joints, and naturally, your flexibility improves. This can keep you nimble and reduce instances of pain or stiffness throughout the body due to strenuous activities.

2) Yoga Builds Muscle Strength and Improve Toning

There are all types of yoga asanas. Some are more relaxed where you just have to sit in a simple posture, whereas some require a lot more effort. The latter ones help in building muscle strength while toning them at the same time. What’s great about these asanas is that they balance strength with flexibility. This gives a person greater power but without the expense of mobility.

3) It Helps You Lose Weight

There are many asanas, and sequences of asanas, that can help you lose weight. Take Surya Namaskar, for instance. Also known as Sun Salutation, it is a sequence of twelve asanas that, if done at a fast pace, can act as a cardio exercise. Those who regularly practice this sequence have seen a remarkable reduction in their weight. And as is common knowledge, proper weight is required for the healthy functioning of the body and mind.

4) Yoga Ensures A Healthy Gut

A lot of modern-day disorders and diseases are connected to the improper functioning of the digestive system. Therefore, it is vital to keep your gut healthy. Fortunately, many yoga asanas can make that happen. We will again take the example of Surya Namaskar. The asanas involved in it, especially the forward fold, can stimulate all the organs in your abdomen, which leads to the proper release of the digestive juices. This, in turn, ensures that your gut functions as it should.

5) It Improves Blood Circulation

Blood carries vital nutrients throughout the body. As such, its importance is second to none. Practicing yoga asanas daily can help ensure that the blood circulation in your body happens smoothly and unhindered. This happens due to the increased and rhythmic inhalation and exhalation during the various yoga asanas. Also, this process provides enough oxygenated blood across your body, thus maintaining a constant flow of energy.

This benefit is an extension of the previous one. As blood circulation improves in the body, your skin gets much better nourishment than before. It receives all the nutrients and chemicals that are required for the proper maintenance and regeneration of skin cells. The results are especially evident in the face which faces the harshest elements of the environment. Often, people notice that after they become regular practitioners of Surya Namaskar, their skin starts glowing.

6) Yoga Improves Your Skin Health

7) It Releases Stress And Anxiety

Yogasanas aren’t only meant for physical health. They have just as much importance for a person’s mental health. These days, with issues like stress, anxiety, and depression becoming more and more rampant, yoga asanas have become ever more relevant. There are many postures prescribed in the yogic sciences that can release stress and anxiety. Regular practice of these postures can then prevent these conditions from occurring in the first place.

8) Yoga Improves Your Sleep

Last, but certainly not least, is sleep. Practicing yoga makes you calmer and more peaceful. It does so by releasing the stress and anxiety that we talked about in the previous point. Naturally, when you are not troubled by your thoughts and emotions, sleep will come more easily to you. Not only that, the quality of your sleep will improve tremendously as your body will reach deeper states of relaxation. This will improve the general well-being of your life.

Some yogis prefer to practice Surya Namaskar every morning with the sun, while others enjoy a soothing Hatha practice in the evenings. Whatever fits your vibe, it’s always a good idea to incorporate a yoga practice into your day.