Yoga provides physical and mental health benefits for people of all ages. And, if you're going through an illness, recovering from surgery, or living with a chronic condition, yoga can become an integral part of your treatment and potentially speedy recovery.
1. Yoga improves strength, balance and flexibility.
Slow movements and deep breathing increase blood flow and warm the muscles, while holding the pose can build strength.
2. Yoga helps in relieving back pain.
Yoga is just as good as basic stretching for reducing pain and improving mobility in people with low back pain. The American College of Physicians recommends yoga as a first-line treatment for chronic low back pain.
3. Yoga can reduce the symptoms of arthritis.
Gentle yoga has been shown to ease some of the discomfort of tender, swollen joints for people with arthritis, according to a Johns Hopkins review of 11 recent studies.
4. Yoga benefits heart health.
Regular yoga practice can reduce stress levels and inflammation throughout the body, contributing to a healthier heart. Many of the factors that contribute to heart disease, including high blood pressure and being overweight, can also be addressed through yoga.
5. Yoga relaxes you, which helps you sleep better.
Research shows that a regular bedtime yoga routine can help get you in the right mindset and prepare your body to fall asleep and stay asleep.
6. Yoga can mean more energy and a brighter mood.
You may experience increased mental and physical energy, increased alertness and enthusiasm, and fewer negative emotions after a regular yoga practice.
7. Yoga helps you manage stress.
According to the National Institutes of Health, scientific evidence suggests that yoga supports stress management, mental health, mindfulness, healthy eating, weight loss and good sleep.
8. Yoga connects you to a supportive community.
Attending yoga classes can reduce loneliness and provide an environment for group therapy and support. Loneliness is also reduced during face-to-face sessions as the individual is acknowledged as a unique individual, listened to and participated in the creation of a personalized yoga plan.
9. Yoga promotes better self-care.
Scientific Research on Yoga Benefits
