Benefits of Yoga

Have you ever been wondering why everyone rages about yoga so much? It’s because there are truthfully so many benefits from yoga as a workout. Yoga is one of the most popular types of exercise because literally, anyone can do it. You don’t have to be super strong like a gym rat to do it.

Sure, there are different types and levels of yoga, but the most basic kind of yoga will only require you to breathe appropriately and gain control of your body movement. It’s such a chill workout that there are blissful holiday yoga retreats such as the Elysia Samui yoga retreat for you to enjoy.

So, what exactly are the benefits of yoga to your mind and body?

Improves Flexibility and Balance

When you think of yoga, you’d think of people doing impossible muscle-stretching poses, right? Those poses are precisely what anyone would be able to do after they’ve learned yoga properly. Yoga improves your breathing, as well as your flexibility and balance. You’d be able to stand with one leg for a very long time if you’ve mastered yoga. Research has shown that not only does yoga improve your flexibility, it also enables you to learn coordination between different body parts.

Strengthens Muscles

If you’re wondering how those yoga ladies can hold a headstand for more than 15 minutes, it’s because their core muscles are strong enough to keep it. Even though yoga is a low-intensity exercise, it doesn’t fail in strengthening your muscles. A lot of people have testified that yoga not only strengthen their muscles, it also helps them tone and build their muscles. The muscles in your body are trained to hold the weight of your body since the day you first start yoga, unlike weightlifters who begin with small dumbbells and all the way up from there. Yoga trains you to lift heavy weights since the start, so believe it or not you might already be stronger than those weightlifting beginners.

Relieves Anxiety and Stress

Studies have shown that yoga reduces the level of cortisol in your body, which is the primary stress hormone. This is because yoga involves meditation, which is where you attempt a peace of mind and being more conscious of the small things around you to block any stressful thoughts. Without proper breathing techniques and a peaceful mind, you won’t be able to strike the yoga poses to follow the yoga instructor. People who have a lot in their mind usually fail in achieving these poses during yoga classes.