Health experts and doctors recommend getting at least 30 minutes a day of exercise. If you’re not a fan of running or lifting weights, you might be at a loss for what type of workout to try. As it turns out, yoga is a perfect exercise to do daily; it’s not just dull stretches. Instead, there are lots of physical advantages of doing yoga regularly. If you want to know more, keep reading for the great health benefits of yoga.
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It Improves Strength, Flexibility, and Balance
Most people know that yoga includes a lot of stretching, so it might not be a surprise to hear that it improves flexibility. But you might not know that it increases strength and balance, too. Yoga is, in fact, a full-body workout. As you improve strength, flexibility, and balance, you reduce your risk for injury and increase your physical abilities.
It Reduces Pain
Many yoga poses can ease joint and back pain in adults and the elderly. For instance, the cat-cow pose is aimed at relieving tension and pain in the back. Additionally, low-intensity yoga has proven helpful for reducing inflammation and pain associated with arthritis. And as joints and muscles are gently stretched, mobility is increased as pain decreases.
It Boosts Your Mood
Aside from stretching and balancing, a primary focus of yoga is on personal wellness and internal improvements. Yoga encourages practitioners to focus on their breath and their body and leave behind everything else. Deep breathing and mindfulness support stress management and encourage better awareness of emotions and reactions.
Not to mention, practicing yoga with a supportive and welcoming group fosters a sense of community and togetherness, another mood booster.
It Helps You Sleep and Wake
A bedtime yoga routine is an all-natural way to prepare yourself for a good night’s sleep. Poses that encourage “winding down” from a long day will ease you into sleep and keep you there throughout the night. When paired with deep breathing exercises, yoga is beneficial for encouraging rest.
Yoga can also be used in place of your morning coffee as a way to wake up and get the body moving. Waking up the muscles with gentle stretching and getting the blood flowing will prepare your body for the day without the aches and pains of early morning.
It Encourages Self-Care
Because yoga focuses on individual wellness, there’s no better way to indulge in a bit of self-care. Yoga teaches you to be more in tune with your body and its needs; a weekly yoga class will do wonders for your self-esteem, confidence, and appreciation for yourself.
Ready to make yoga a part of your daily health and wellness? Let AFC Paramus help. Our yoga experts will help you achieve your strength and flexibility goals while providing a warm and welcoming space and community. Contact us today to find out more!
