Hitting the gym won’t always do the trick; it’s about more than weights and machines when it comes to a healthy body. According to a 2012 Yoga in America study, more than 20 million Americans practice yoga, and that’s no coincidence – here are some of the reasons why:
Lowers Stress Levels
What else could be more important than lowering that stress level? Most yoga strategies require focused breathing, which allows the brain to quiet itself and remove stressful thoughts. The boost of oxygen is calming and produces an increased sense of happiness.
Confidence Booster
Yoga in general emits an awareness of peace and serenity. Through removing anxiety from the mind, the soul can more easily connect with the inner self. Having a stronger connection will create a wholesome feeling that improves the perception of oneself and others.
Flexibility
Can’t touch the ground when bending over? Don’t panic – yoga can solve that problem fairly quickly. The positions used focus on certain muscles, so this strengthens those areas and decrease the likelihood of injury. This can help the body’s ability to balance, too. The fewer embarrassing stumbles in public the better, right?
Improves Posture
No more slouching at the dinner table. Participating in yoga will strengthen upper body muscles, such as the shoulders and back, in order to improve posture. This not only looks better but feels better as well.
Immunity Lift
Believe it or not, yoga can improve the immune system’s functioning through higher or lower levels when needed. Don’t want to get sick? Sign up for that last minute class and kiss the coughing and sneezing goodbye.
