Benefits of Yoga
Practicing Yoga
Yoga is fundamentally a practice for cultivating awareness, for being fully present with all that arises in your life in an open and non-judgmental fashion. The postures are a tool for refining consciousness of what is unfolding in your body, mind, emotions, and spirit.
Increases flexibility…regular yoga practice will create a noticeable loosening of muscles and eliminate many little aches and pains.
Builds muscle strength…building strong muscles with yoga allows us to balance that strength with flexibility.
Improves your posture…yoga helps build core strength and can reduce fatigue through better body alignment.
Prevents cartilage and joint breakdown…practicing yoga allows joints to experience a full range of motion. Joint cartilage is like a sponge and receives fresh nutrients only when it is squeezed out and a new supply can be soaked up. Without fresh nutrients, neglected areas of cartilage can wear out exposing the underlying bone.
Protects your spine…a well-balanced practice led by a certified instructor includes bends and twists that help keep the discs in your spine healthy.
Bone health…weight-bearing exercise helps strengthen bones and wards off osteoporosis.
Increases blood flow…relaxation exercises improve your circulation, which in turn provides more oxygen to your cells, improving their function.
Drains lymph and boosts immunity…when muscles are contracted and stretched you increase the drainage of lymph within the body. The lymphatic system fights infection, destroys cancerous cells, and disposes of waste products.
Helps you focus…an important component of yoga is focusing on the present. Studies have shown that regular yoga practice improves coordination, reaction time, memory, and even IQ scores.
Prevents falls…regular yoga practice increases the ability to feel where your body is in space, improving balance.
