It’s no secret that yoga is good for you. Documentation from before the birth of Christ shows the practice of yoga as a method of reaching a higher state of consciousness through ritual discipline and meditation. Today, the practice of yoga has spread across the globe, spurring a money-making industry aimed at improving your health and well-being through the use of motion and breathing techniques. But how does all of this apply to you?
For starters, yoga is a form of exercise, which is good for everyone. It can be used to treat a host of problems, from aches and pains to stress or insomnia. What it will almost certainly do for you, even at the beginner level, is increase your strength and flexibility. Much of yoga focuses on your core (the central part of the body, encompassing the muscles of the stomach and lower back). Improving strength in this area will help your whole body. In addition to making you sit up straighter (believe me, this is so much more attractive than slouching) it will improve some of the most common pains experienced by workers who either stand in one spot or sit all day (namely, back pain). In turn, good posture will correct other aches you may have throughout your body. And increased flexibility will reduce the likelihood of injury.
And if you think you can’t get a cardio workout with yoga, just try moving through a fast-flowing series. You’ll get your heart-rate and your breathing up in no time. In fact, there are yoga programs available to contend with just about any type of exercise routine out there, from cardio to strength-training, so don’t be put off by the misnomer of “new age” that’s commonly attached to the practice. Yoga can offer a full body workout with all the benefits of multiple programs combined.
In terms of stress reduction, it doesn’t get any better than yoga. For centuries, its patented brand of corresponding breath and movement has helped practitioners to focus both their body and their mind. Concentrating on moving your body in accord with your breathing allows you to clear your mind of any other complications that may be cluttering it up. Plus, the stretching involved in most of the moves releases tension and creates space in your body where you might have been clenching up and causing problems. As a method of relaxation, yoga incorporates several techniques used by other programs and combines them into one comprehensive, full-body and mind activity. And that’s important for all of us who experience a time crunch when it comes to squeezing in a workout.
Overall, the benefits of yoga, both physical and mental, cannot be overlooked when considering it as an alternative to other types of workouts. It takes everything you might look for in an exercise routine (weight loss, cardio, strength training, etc.) and combines it with tried and true practices for stress reduction and mental well-being (breathing exercises, guided imagery, meditation, etc.). As a way to make the most of your time, it really can’t be beat.
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