5 Benefits Of Yoga

For the last 5 years I’ve continuously practice yoga. I can’t front. When I was initially introduce to yoga as a dancer back in college, I thought “ What a great way to stretch before class” but little did I know In the years to come Yoga would expand in my life and ways I never imagine.

What is Yoga

Yoga is the ability for the mind to stop moving. To be free of mental movement. It allows our thoughts to silences, bring us to a state of truly being with one self. It silences your mind allowing you to identify deeper with the center of self. Here are a few ways yoga has helped me.

Improve Quality of Breath

Many people think flexibility is the most important part in yoga. Although yoga does help with mobility and flexibility, the quality of breath is far more important. When practicing yoga, focusing on your breathing help the body in more was then one. Breathing correctly helps regulate heart rate, normalizes blood pressure, Breathing deeply and completely sends a message to your brain to relax. Quality of breath is far more important than flexibility.

Lowers Blood Pressure

As mentioned above, yoga can help to lower blood pressure. Studies have shown when individuals with hypertension perform Savasana (Corpse Pose), both the systolic and diastolic numbers both drop.

Better Sleep

Our sympathetic nervous system (or the fight-or-flight response) is always in over drive hints why we deal with high blood pressure and lack of sleep( to name a few). Yoga forces a parasympathetic nervous system allowing you to be truly relaxed. Practices like Yoga Nidra, Restorative Yoga, and Savasana really focus on calming the sympathetic nervous system. A few Posture to do before bed: Camel Pose, Supine Twist, Upward Dog, Child’s Pose, Bridge, and Hero Pose.

Eases Anxiety

One of the many reasons I began to look at yoga different was because of how it positively affected my anxiety and panic disorder. Because yoga focuses so much on breathing and being present in the moment, it helps to minimize thoughts of worry that might normally cause anxiety and panic. A meditative yoga practice that I find helps with anxiety is Nadhi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing)

Increase Flexibility

Although it may not be the most important, yoga postures, done continuously, can increase ones flexibility. Many of the yoga postures help to create healthy alignment within the body. Many people add yoga to their life as an added fitness regimen because of it’s proven with flexibility and balance. Yoga Poses to help increase flexibility: Standing forward bend, Triangle, Downward Facing Dog, Warrior I, Cobra, Camel, and Reclined Twist.

Can yoga help you?