The Benefits Of Yoga

The history of yoga stretches back about 5,000 years. While the concept of yoga is understood by most people, many do not understand exactly what yoga is or how it works, and neither do they realize the positive effects it can have on the body. Although the practice of yoga is typically associated with Eastern religion, yoga is truly nothing more than what it is at its core - stretching exercises that have a positive impact on the mind and body; and these exercises can benefit anyone, regardless of religious background or beliefs. Yoga has many benefits, but three of the benefits most pertinent to everyday life are those that yoga has on a body's breathing, heart, and mind.

If you do not breathe, you cannot live; in this way, breathing is one of the most important aspects of life. However, many people do not realize that they can improve their breathing. One aspect of yoga is deep, mindful breathing, which helps to improve lung capacity. This can be beneficial for those who play sports, as it can improve endurance and performance. But even if you do not play sports, improved breathing will prove to be helpful in your everyday life.

A healthy heart translates to a healthy body. There have been plenty of studies conducted to find the correlations between yoga and good health, but among these studies, the correlation between yoga and a healthy heart has been focused on the most. Yoga can lower blood pressure, and it can also slow your heart rate. Yoga has also been proven to help boost the immune system, and it has been proven to aid in decreasing cholesterol. In fact, yoga can be beneficial for the heart to such an extreme extent that is has even been proven to help reverse heart disease!

The positive effects of yoga on the mind are also far-reaching. Those who practice yoga find that their stress levels are reduced, and their concentration is improved; also, yoga has been proven to reduce the risk of depression. The extra oxygen that yoga pulls to the brain, and the lowered levels of hormone neurotransmitters, creates a sense of wellness and calm that can be difficult to achieve.

All it takes to practice yoga is 15 to 20 minutes of your time each day. With regular yoga practice, the body's respiration, circulation, and mental wellbeing can all be improved. Consider adding yoga to your daily routine - you won't be disappointed with the results!