Stress Release via Yoga

One activity that I highly recommend everyone try is Yoga. You don’t have to be limber or flexible at all to start nor do you need a yoga mat and yoga pants to get to a class. Why do I recommend yoga? The benefits are immense but most importantly it helps you gain self-awareness about your body.

If you already exercise, then yoga may still be for you as it is a great way to stretch after an intense workout. If you don’t already workout and want to start getting in shape but are intimidated by weights or going to a gym, a yoga studio might be just perfect for you. Most yoga classes at my local yoga studios only have 7 or 8 people at all levels (novice to expert). First time visitors are usually provided a yoga mat too, just remember to wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move around otherwise the benefits will be hard to come by if you can don’t the poses. Also, you’ll hear a lot of Sanskrit names for yoga poses but don’t let that bother you because a good yoga instructor will also tell you the English name for the pose. I definitely recommend starting yoga at a studio or gym before trying it on your own at home via an app or DVD because you want to make sure you are learning the movements and positions correctly but of course this depends on your budget and schedule.

What benefits should you expect with continued practice of yoga? Flexibility and posture will be two huge improvements especially for those of us with computer based desk jobs where we are constantly hunched over. Remember good posture affects every system in your body from muscular to digestive to circulatory. Why? If everything is aligned well and functioning like it should, then your body can actively fight diseases strongly. If you tend to stress a lot, cortisol often increases in your body resulting in weight gain so incorporating yoga will also allow you to relax and thereby reduce the effects of cortisol and help you possibly with weight loss. To gain muscle strength, you might want to try yoga because the poses require you to hold them for a time while being slow and controlled. An example, Madonna is a devout yogi and the results speak for themselves when you see her toned and muscular frame. Finally, if you consistently practice yoga, you will be able to sleep better as you releasing stress and tension.

No matter if you have back pains or joint problems, yoga can be adapted to you so that you can reap many of the aforementioned benefits!