5 BENEFITS OF YOGA

Yoga practitioners strive to increase their well-being by focusing on meditation, holding physical poses and breathing properly. These three main aspects of yoga help to unite the body and mind, which can lead to improved mental and physical health. Although the various types of yoga involve different practices and require varying degrees of effort, they all can lead to a better quality of life when practiced correctly.

Fitness
Training your body to achieve and maintain the various postures in yoga can increase the flexibility and strength of both your joints and muscles. When your joints and muscles are more flexible and stronger, you have a lower risk of injuring your body as you move through the day. Additional aspects of enhanced fitness include better balance and improved range of motion, both of which also protect your body from

Health
Practicing yoga is a proven way to help your body function better physically, according to the American Cancer Society. For example, yoga can contribute to lower blood pressure and a slower heart rate. The discipline also improves body temperature, brain activity, breathing, metabolism and skin features in many practitioners. These effects can make some health problems easier to manage and endure, especially in combination with traditional forms of medicine. Relevant conditions include asthma, cancer, diabetes, drug addiction, heart disease, migraines and pain.

Mental State
Yoga produces a happier, more peaceful and relaxed emotional and mental state for many followers. This enhanced sense of well-being can lead to lower levels of anxiety and stress, in part because practitioners are able to sleep better and avoid fatigue. When you feel calmer and well rested, you are also able to concentrate better and cope with the pressures of daily life more effectively. The latter in particular can help you avoid developing stress-related conditions such as depression and insomnia.

Weight
As followers of yoga reap the fitness, health and mood-related benefits of the discipline, they can also gain the ability to control those habits that contribute to weight gain. Practicing yoga can encourage some people to make their entire lifestyle healthier, for instance. This can include eating better, exercising more often and learning how to manage eating disorders such as bulimia.

Pregnancy
Although some expectant mothers may wonder, yoga is not only safe for most pregnant women, but it also provides essential benefits. Similar to non-natal types of yoga, prenatal yoga can increase relaxation and fitness through better pain management, decreased stress, improved sleep and increased flexibility and strength. Equally important, yoga during pregnancy can help women get ready for labor for the same reasons, such as making the muscles used during childbirth more flexible and stronger. Consequently, many practitioners of prenatal yoga have a lower likelihood of experiencing conditions such as hypertension and preterm labor.