15 Awe Inspiring Benefits of Yoga

“In order to achieve a state of yoga, one must develop both practice and detachment.”

-Patanjali

The Origin of Yoga

Yoga consists of varying physical, mental, and spiritual practices. These implementations date back all the way to ancient India, but it’s claimed that Yoga has been around since the beginning of civilization. Regardless of it’s initial creation, it is now widely used by many across the world today!

Benefits of a Yoga Practice

Yoga, like any physical activity, benefits your brain and general sense of well being. However, with Yoga, there is a stronger emphasis put on the spiritual and mental component. Below are 15 awe inspiring benefits of Yoga, but it’s really only tapping the surface:

1. Yoga Builds Strength.

Yoga builds strength. It’s technically a form of strength training, as you are using your own bodyweight to challenge yourself. The difference is, with strength training, you’re actively pushing yourself. Whereas with Yoga you are challenging yourself in a more compassionate and patient manner.

2. Yoga Increases Flexibility.

Yoga Increases flexibility. I mean this is what Yoga is most known for right? The thing most people are surprised to hear is, you don’t have to be super flexible in order to start doing Yoga. Flexibility doesn’t even need to be the goal. The amazing thing with Yoga is that flexibility just increases over time, as a result.

3. Yoga is a Mood Booster.

Yoga is a mood booster. It has all the benefits of strength training and meditation rolled into one. This is because with yoga you are focusing on deep breathing while lovingly moving through often challenging poses. Yoga boosts endorphins and turns on calming parts of your brain. All of these things give you a general sense of well being.

4. Yoga Decreases Chronic Pain.

Yoga decreases chronic pain. If you have chronic pain of the neck, shoulders, back, hips, knees or ankles (just to name more than a few common chronic pain points) then Yoga is what you need in your life. Because it has it all. Flexibility? Check. Strength? Check. Stress Reduction? Check. Optimizing all three of these areas will significantly help with chronic pain, and the best part is it doesn’t require a prescription.

5. Yoga Develops Balance.

Yoga develops balance. Many of the poses (also known as asanas) used in Yoga involve standing on one leg. You’ll also find that you’re required to alternate opposing limbs in various poses. These increase neuromuscular efficiency and proprioception, which equates to improved balance.

6. Yoga Eases Symptoms of Arthritis.

Yoga eases symptoms of arthritis. Studies have shown that those who suffer from arthritis benefit greatly from a regular form of low impact exercise. Once again, Yoga fits the bill. Of course you will want to make sure you’re doing a gentle form of Yoga (in the beginning especially) but the results it brings will honestly surprise you.

7. Yoga Benefits Heart Health.

Yoga benefits cardiovascular health. With yoga, not only do you get your blood pumping- but you’re also forced to slow down and start breathing intentionally. Let’s not forget the stress relieving effects Yoga brings about. Perhaps this is all largely part of the reason that regular Yoga participants experience lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Many studies have even shown that Yoga can ward off, steady, halt and even eliminate heart related diseases.

8. Yoga Promotes Feelings of Relaxation.

Yoga promotes feelings of relaxation. Sometimes you need to just get out of your own head. Other times you need to just make peace with what’s going on inside of it. Yoga helps you achieve both.

9. Yoga Boosts Energy Levels.

Yoga boosts energy levels. It releases endorphins, increases blood flow and helps you take your mind off of draining thoughts and feelings. It’s like a shot of espresso for your soul.

10. Yoga Aids in Stress Management.

Yoga aids in stress management. It lowers your blood pressure, and it lowers your resting heart rate. Throw in the benefits of extended periods of controlled breathing, and you’ve got yourself the perfect recipe for healthier managed stress levels.

11. Yoga Connects You to Yourself.

Yoga connects you to yourself. With Yoga you’re inadvertently forced (my favorite) to look within and make peace with what you see. Yoga brings you to the foggy, clouded mirror of one’s self and it gives you the tools to lovingly figure out how to make the glass clearer. Then it gives you the benefit of time to patiently improve upon the source of that reflection. This is all figuratively speaking of course, but the point is that Yoga is a beautiful form of connecting with one self. And it’s something you’re able to do at your own pace, in your own time. You just have to show up on the mat.

12. Yoga Strengthens Your Immune System

Yoga strengthens your immune system. Controlled breathing gives our blood the increase of oxygen necessary to create and stimulate new circulation. New circulation means more efficient circulation throughout our entire body, which brings about a stronger and better functioning immune system. Studies have shown that just 20 minutes of Yoga a day can help improve our immune systems.

13. Yoga Improves Your Posture.

Yoga improves your posture. It strengthens the supporting muscle tissues surrounding your spine. It increases flexibility and mobility of spine and hips. Core strength is a huge core component of any Yoga flow. Many of the poses help you open up your chest, and relieve neck tension. The moral of the story for this section? Ditch the posture correction straps and roll out your mat instead.

14. Yoga Helps with Digestive Disorders (such as IBS).

Yoga helps with digestive disorders (such as IBS). Interestingly, your brain and gut are connected more than you might know. Your digestive system holds infinite thousands of nerve cells that are in constant communication with your brain. This means that physical and mental stress? They are all conveyed to these nerve receptors. Well, it’s wonder digestive disorders such as IBS are known to be due to stress. Yoga helps with digestion, and it helps with stress– it’s a set up for success.

15. Yoga Drains Your Lymphatic System.

Yoga drains your lymphatic system. Lymph (in case you didn’t know) is a clear, watery fluid that moves through the body. It grabs nasty bacteria and viruses and then pushes them out through your lymph nodes. It is not the same as blood. Blood flows due to contractions of the heart. Lymph on the other hand, flows as a result of contractions of muscles. This means that any physical activity will aid in lymphatic draining. However, Yoga is even better at getting it done. Inversion asanas have the benefits of gravity, and rotational movements have the benefit of stimulating internal vital organs. I am telling you, Yoga is good for you.

Starting Your Own at Home Yoga Practice Is as Easy as NA-Mas-Tay.

Think again if you’re feeling that starting a Yoga practice is expensive or involves obtaining a gym or studio membership! While that’s certainly not a bad idea, I do think there’s a unique sense of empowerment and comfort in starting your own at home yoga practice. I recommend using free online YouTube videos in the beginning, but over time you’ll find you can easily do up to 40 minutes of Yoga on your own without an instructors guidance. My favorite online Yoga teacher is Adriene Mishler (CLICK HERE to view her channel). Her 30 Day True series is my personal go to and top recommendation. Stay tuned to read my upcoming post on everything you need to know to start your own Yoga practice, and subscribe to my newsletter to be the first to hear about it!