Yoga, which means “union”, is a term for long-established techniques of physical exercise and meditation in ancient India.

The union occurs between the body, the mind, and the spirit. The more commonly practiced group of exercises can be more correctly described as asana. This refers to the physical postures or poses, although the more common practice also includes some aspect of meditation.

A lot of people are recognizing the many benefits of yoga, which includes being more relaxed and stressed-free as well as being physically toned.

But what exactly are the benefits of yoga? From physical strength to mental calmness, the following are the more specific yoga benefits.

Physical Benefits

Muscle tone.

One of the physical benefits of yoga is muscle tone. Everyone who works out wants to get their body in shape. Yoga does just that, it helps form your muscles.

Flexibility.

Apart from that, it also gives you flexibility. Yoga involves a lot of stretching. As you stretch your body in many different ways, it becomes more flexible and thus, allowing for a bigger range of motion for your muscles and joints. As practice yoga regularly, eventually you will have more flexibility especially in your back, shoulders, hips, and hamstrings.

Strength.

Another benefit of yoga is strength. Yoga involves a lot of poses, or more accurately asana, hence, your body will need to support its weight in a lot of new ways. As there are many different types of poses that includes the need for balancing on one leg or supporting your body with the arms as well as exercises that require slow movement, eventually your body gains strength.

Improved respiration.

Yoga involves a lot of meditation as well as techniques for relaxation. Pranavama, yoga breathing exercises, helps you concentrate on your breathing and teaches you how to appropriately use your lungs. Improved respiration benefits your entire being, physically as well as mentally, because your entire body is properly supplied with oxygen.

Mental Benefits

Calmness.

Yoga will introduce you to many techniques of meditation that will help you achieve calmness. With asana, you focus your attention on what your body is doing. By keeping your concentration intently, you bring a calmness effect on your mind.

Reduction of stress.

This is probably the most beneficial for everyone, especially with today’s very busy and hectic lifestyles. Guided mental imagery will help you focus your attention on things that distract you from stress. Because yoga requires intense concentration with every movement, your mind is pulled into another place and all the stressors that you had before starting yoga will be removed from your mind.

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Yoga Benefits