Yoga Provides More Than Flexibility

While we’re bombarded with commercials telling us about products to help us lose weight, get great abs and tone our muscles, we very seldom hear about yoga – an exercise that can do all of that and more.

Many think this is just a method to maintain flexibility, something bodybuilding wouldn’t do- the benefits of yoga are wide and go beyond just physical and physiological.

Flexibility is recognized as the single biggest benefit of yoga. If you’ve ever seen a yoga class or checked out a yoga clothing site, you will be amazed by all the twisting and folding that a yoga practitioner can do. Practicing yoga brings a greater range of motion, particularly to your hamstrings, back, shoulders and hips.

The poses that you do in yoga, which may be held in long periods of time, can help build muscle tone and strength. You will also have improved balance as you learn to achieve poses.

By increasing flexibility and strength, some types of pain may be prevented. Imagine how good it would feel when you stretch after a long drive. Back pains, shoulder pain and even carpal tunnel pain are some of the pains relieved by yoga, these are just some of the benefits yoga extends to your body.

Breathing is extensively focused on during yoga. Among the benefits to your body, learning how to breathe slower and deeper as you move through a pose. You may feel some light-headedness as you sharpen your breathing technique as your blood carries a better supply of oxygen, so better be ready. You will get used to it and is likely to happen the first couple of times. Controlled breathing can also help you in other ways as it can be used for pain management and stress reduction.

Exercising can give both mental and physical which come from endorphins, concentration and calmness is where the benefits of yoga comes from. Concentration on breathing and body positioning is very important in yoga, this is also a good tool for stress reduction and to calm your thoughts. When doing yoga in the evening your mind and body relaxes for sleep.

You may need help beginning yoga, but that is as easy as enrolling in a class, buying a video, or even tuning in a television program. A carpeted area or a yoga mat and loose or flexible clothes are also needed. Listen to your body, whether doing yoga in a class or by yourself. Use a modification of a pose if you feel pain while attempting it or you can try again once you’ve gained the strength and flexibility for it. If you continue to do yoga, the poses will become easier and you might find that yoga is one of the best “you” times you can have.

About the author: Michelle Walton writes as a hobby and maintains websites for St Louis featuring Massage St Louis.