Benefits of Yoga

September 23, 2019

Written by Hannah Gwaltney, Marketing Intern

The purpose of the physical practice of yoga is to build strength, awareness and harmony in both the mind and body [1]. When implementing yoga into your daily routine, you will see the harmony created both physical and mental health benefits. Listed below are some of the most important benefits of practicing yoga.

Physical Benefits

  • Flexibility

    First and foremost, yoga is known to increase flexibility through the practice of different poses. In the beginning phases, you may have difficulty holding poses or touching their toes. However, after steady practice and determination, the poses that were once impossible become possible!

  • Muscle Strength and Tone

    You will see a huge difference in the definition and tone of their muscles through yoga. Plus, it prevents bad health conditions or injuries.

  • Circulatory Health

    Yoga gets blood flowing throughout the entire body. The relaxation ironically speeds up the circulation in your body, allowing blood to flow throughout the entire body, even to your hands and feet [2]. Different poses correlate to stronger circulation in specific areas. For example, inverted poses help blood flow from the legs and pelvis to the heart. T

  • Increase Heart Rate

    Although yoga may seem as a low-heart rate, relaxing exercise, it is actually proven to regulate and increase your heart rate into an aerobic range. Researchers also suggest that a regular yoga routine decreases the risk of heart attacks.

  • Posture

    Are you dealing with horrible posture? Take a yoga class. Studies show that if your head is balanced on bad posture, pain and arthritis can develop. However, successful yoga poses can correct this by re-positioning the alignment of your back and head into place.


Mental Health

The mental health benefits of yoga are just as important as the physical benefits of yoga. Here are a few that are most impactful to college students:

  • Stress

    Finding the balance of school, work and a social life is hard, and stress is inevitable. Stress can reveal itself in a variety of ways, including loss of sleep, headaches, and focus issues. The good news? Yoga helps! Yoga is extremely effective in helping people develop coping skills for stress, thus reaching a more positive lifestyle.

  • Peace of Mind

    When you are able to cope with stress and other negativity in your life, you will find yourself at peace. The mental loops of frustration, regret, anger, depression, and fear are slowed by yoga. Serotonin levels increase with regular yoga practice, thus increasing happiness and peace [2]. It’s science!

  • Focus

    On an academic note, yoga increases your ability to focus. So, if you are having trouble focusing during long lectures—try yoga!  Regular practice of yoga is proven to improve coordination, memory and even IQ scores.

Convinced yet? Great! Sign up for one of our yoga classes and start seeing the benefits today!

[1] https://osteopathic.org/what-is-osteopathic-medicine/benefits-of-yoga/

[2] https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/count-yoga-38-ways-yoga-keeps-fit

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