The Health Benefits of Doing Yoga

Mind is All

Although many of us nowadays are perfectly familiar with the general idea of yoga, few of us are familiar with the genesis of yoga, how it works, or even why it is good for the body; of course, yoga is typically associated with a number of Eastern religions and philosophies, but yoga is centered around stretching exercises that are good for both the mind and the body, and that can be enjoyed by anyone - no matter what their religious or philosophical background or beliefs are.

Most people would, of course, agree that breathing is important, as it is necessary in order for you to live, but a lot of people fail to realize that it is actually possible to improve one's breathing; yoga deals with deep, mindful breathing, and engaging in this will help lung capacity to improve - which is great for those who play sports, of course, as it will improve endurance and performance, but is also good for people who do not play sports, and simply want to enjoy improved  breathing in everyday life.

Yoga also ties together closely with having a healthy heart, as yoga can effectively lower blood pressure and even slow the heart rate; furthermore, yoga has been linked to lowered cholesterol, and - largely because of the reduction in stress brought on by yoga - a boosted immune system, with some studies even concluding that yoga is so beneficial for the heart and the body, it can reverse heart disease.

And finally, the benefits yoga has on the mind extend far, as the lowering of stress in the body will also help to improve the mind's concentration, and to decrease the risk of depression; furthermore, as yoga pulls extra oxygen to your brain, it will help to create a sense of wellness and calm in your mind that you would have a hard time attaining otherwise.

It only takes about 15 to 20 minutes each day to practice yoga - and when you do this, you will be able to enjoy all the numerous health benefits that practicing yoga will be able to bring your way!