The Benefits of Yoga

Many of you practice yoga regularly and enjoy it as a hobby. But do you know the many benefits of yoga that impact your life?

Like anything you love, yoga requires dedication and mindfulness. By making yoga a part of your routine, your yoga practice will honor you. Over time it will allow your body and your mind to grow increasingly more flexible and strong.

Outlined below are the amazing benefits that only yoga can collectively offer.

Yoga increases joint and muscle flexibility

Yoga actually lubricates the joints, ligaments and tendons. Yoga postures are meant to work together in order to balance the inside and outside of the body. This interrelated action produces a supple, lengthened body that has more space so that stress does not weigh it down.

Yoga massages all of the body’s organs

Yoga is the only form of exercise that literally massages all of the internal glands and organs in a rhythmic, methodical manner. For a regular participant in yoga the constant flow of asanas become almost like dancing. The familiarities of the movements alert the body of anything out of the ordinary, forewarning you of disease or disorders.

Yoga creates a stronger sense of awareness

This sense of awareness applies to your emotional, physical, and mental levels. By using breathing techniques and frequently scanning your body of how it feels you become more attuned, creating conversation between your inside and outside self. You learn that every part of your body is interconnected.

Yoga supplies the body with optimal blood

An amazing benefit of yoga, is that it flushes away toxins that have built up in the body and supplies clean, fresh blood to your body. As you move through poses your body heats up and basically burns away waste left in the body. You are self cleaning which slows the aging process and increases your energy levels.

Yoga tones all of your muscles

Definitely one of the most desired benefits of yoga. It is very much like swimming in the way that it works every muscle, even ones that may not have had much action since you were a child. Yoga is all-inclusive in so many ways!

Yoga is true mental therapy

Trust me, I need it, it’s my Prozac. One of my favorite benefits of yoga, it cultivates quietness in your mind and encourages you to think only about the present moment. It makes you aware of thoughts and feelings that are constantly circling and arising in your being. This mindfulness transfers to our daily lives and enables us to experience and truly enjoy every moment.

Yoga attunes you to the natural world

By practicing yoga you are symbolically practicing the flow of life. This constant practice builds respect and understanding of the planet’s big picture. You gain a realization that you are part of something bigger that connects you to every living thing.

Take the time to make yoga a part of your life’s busy routine. You will never regret it. In time the benefits of yoga will be revealed to you. Just remember that it is your practice and if you listen to your body, your body will guide you.

-Brooke Pennington