You don’t have to run for miles or work out until you sweat to reap the benefits of a good workout. In fact, a low-impact exercise routine such as yoga provides several physical benefits. Most yoga moves require stretching. Stretching is scientifically proven to increase flexibility and joint mobility which reduces your risk of muscle injury when playing sports or taking part in more strenuous forms of exercise. According to experts at the Mayo Clinic, stretching also improves athletic performance.
For those of you who want to improve your physical appearance, yoga is an excellent choice. Experts agree that practicing yoga on a regular basis can help build lean muscles. In addition to improving your muscle tone and appearance, yoga also increases blood flow to your muscles, which prevents minor and major muscle and ligament tears.
Celebrity medical expert Dr.Mehmet Oz states that some yoga positions are known for their detoxifying effects. Detoxifying your body rids it of impurities that might otherwise cause health problems in the long run.
Finding a way to reduce your stress isn’t always easy, but it is necessary. Stress can provoke headaches, increase your blood pressure and cause your heart to release stress enzymes, which increases the risk for heart attack. Yoga provides a way to reduce the effects of stress on your health by relaxing your mind. Yoga isn’t all about stretching, in fact, it was originally used as an exercise to increase focus and improve mental clarity. Recent studies have shown that yoga also fights depression and anxiety.
Have trouble sleeping? Try yoga. Insomnia is a condition that causes a person to lack the appropriate amount of sleep. People with insomnia wake up in the middle of the night or have trouble falling asleep. This causes a strain on your heart, results to difficulties in processing thoughts and also slows down your reaction time due to a lack of adequate rest. Use yoga breathing methods and concentration to calm your mind before you sleep to fight insomnia and restlessness.
Yoga also helps reduce your blood pressures and improves the way your heart functions by reducing your heart rate. To get started, make sure to have on proper attire. Purchase a pair of yoga pants and a spandex shirt from a sportswear retailer or from a company that sells sportswear online.
One of the best medical benefits of yoga, is actually a physical benefit –weight loss. Being overweight increases your risk of developing certain forms of cancer as well as heart disease and type-2 diabetes. Using the concentration methods of yoga along with the postures gives the best results.
Vanessa is a health and fitness buff who writes about women’s fitness and wellness.
