Health Benefits of Yoga
Making health a priority is something we all need to focus on. Keeping up with health resolutions will be easier and fun if you start practicing yoga.
Over the years yoga has gained a lot of popularity. Whether it is the common man, world leaders, or Bollywood celebs, everyone is raving about yoga and its benefits.
Read on to find the top 7 benefits of Yoga.
1. Lowers Blood Pressure
If you’re someone who is constantly battling high blood pressure, then it is time you start practicing yoga. Various studies have shown that doing yoga regularly helps lower blood pressure.
Practicing yoga helps increase blood circulation and allows oxygenation in your body. Both these have calming effects on the body which leads to significant reduction in blood pressure.
2. Aids in weight loss
Weight loss is related to overall health. It isn’t about attaining size zero, it is about healthy body weight. Practicing different forms of yoga, like power yoga helps in weight loss. There are various yoga poses that help in fat burning, toning muscles, and give you more flexibility.
Some of the best yoga poses for weight loss are – Boat pose, Extended Side Angle pose, Upward Plank pose, Warrior II pose, and Upward Facing Dog pose.
3. Lowers blood sugar
Yoga lowers blood sugar and bad cholesterol in body. It also boosts good cholesterol. For diabetic people especially, it has been found that yoga helps lower blood sugar in various ways – aids in weight loss and increases sensitivity of effects of insulin.
4. Increases strength
The idea behind practicing various yoga asanas is to use your own body weight to increase strength. Keeping your bones healthy and protecting your spine is crucial.
Doing back bends, twists, and forward bends will keep your spine healthy. Ask your yoga instructor to help you with weight bearing exercises to help strengthen your bones. It would also help keep osteoporosis at bay.
5. Relaxes mind and relieves stress
With the highly hectic and stressful life that we lead, it is good to meditate and relax your mind for some time. Practicing yoga helps you relax – it increases focus, regulates breathing, balances your nervous system and relieves stress.
Some of the best poses for stress relief are – Boat pose, Corpse pose, Child’s pose, Dolphin Plank pose, Big Toe pose, and Fire Log pose.
6. Increases immunity
Immunity and yoga go hand in hand. To increase your immunity in natural way yoga is the best bet. Practicing yoga helps heal and rejuvenate every cell of the body. Also, while going in and out of yoga poses, the excess lymphatic fluid is drained. This helps lymphatic system fight infections and get rid of all toxins from your body.
7. Improves posture
Most of us spend extended hours in front of the computer/laptop. Sitting in one place for long hours and lack of movement can cause back pain and incorrect posture.
Practicing yoga will help you improve your stance and posture, which would indeed help you look and feel more confident. It will also help you improve overall flexibility.
Other Benefits
Some other benefits of yoga include –
- Helps you sleep better
- Releases tension in your limbs
- Improves sexual health
- Increases tolerance of pain
- Improves memory and concentration
- Enhances metabolism
- Increases core strength
- Uplifts your mood
- Fights depression
- Helps maintain ideal weight
- Helps in anxiety management
Hope these tips encourage you to make yoga a part of your exercise routine. Also, don’t forget to join the Expresso sisterhood on – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram for more such amazing posts on lifestyle, fashion, and beauty.
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