Everyone has stress in their lives, and everyone needs physical activity. Yoga is an activity that can help you manage stress- perfect! Yoga has become popular but if you still haven’t given it a chance, keep reading about all the benefits you’re missing out on and commit to giving it a try. Improve the health of your body as well as your mind with yoga.
Getting Started
Yoga is an ancient Indian spiritual practice based on meditation. Yoga as exercise is a newer phenomenon, but it has become so popular because of all the health benefits. Yoga as exercise still incorporates meditation to promote relaxation and help people cope with stress and anxiety. Routines and whole classes are adjusted to target different body parts or conditions. A prenatal yoga routine, for example, can help expecting mothers with aches and pains using modified poses.
Yoga is truly an activity for all because it’s a safe, drug-free therapy that can be practiced at any age and at any level of fitness. As a physical therapy, there are no negative side effects and a very low risk of injury if you pace yourself. Yoga can be practiced alone or with a partner or group, and it’s okay to start small! Especially if you’ve never tried yoga before, you’ll want to start with basic poses and learn breathing techniques. A virtual class could be a great introduction if you want to start from home.
If you’re new to yoga, you may find it helpful to take a live class with an instructor who can check your form and coach you through the poses and breathing exercises. An instructor can also help you modify poses to your skill level. Yoga has become popular and it should be easy to find an affordable class at a local gym or park district this summer.
The Perks for Your Body and Mind
Regular physical activity is imperative for your health, whether you’re already fit or trying to get in shape. Even low-impact workouts like yoga can help reduce your BMI when you stay consistent. Stress and a sedentary lifestyle both increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, so practicing yoga regularly can help decrease those risks. Consistent practice can even help lower blood pressure over time. Other physical benefits of yoga include:
- Improved posture
- Improved balance
- Lessen back pain
- Lessen neck pain
- Improve sleep
And those are just the perks for your body! Practicing yoga also benefits your mind. Learning meditation and mindfulness through yoga can have a positive effect on depression and anxiety. These are practices you can apply to everyday stress to help you cope with symptoms. Even if you don’t mediate outside of yoga, regular practice can improve your mental health.
References
Yoga for Health: What Science Says
Depression and Anxiety Disorders: Benefits of Exercise, Yoga, and Meditation
Yoga: Fight Stress and Find Serenity
