The Benefits Of Yoga

Mind is All

Yoga has been around for 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 yoga is generally associated with various Eastern religions, the true basis of yoga is stretching exercises that benefit the mind and body, and that can help anyone, regardless of their religious background or beliefs. While yoga is known to have many benefits, three of the benefits that are most immediately pertinent to the body are the effects of yoga on breathing, the heart, and the mind.

Of course, we know that breathing is among the most important elements of life - after all, if you do not breathe, you cannot live. But many of us fail to realize that we can improve our breathing. Yoga improves lung capacity by focusing on deep, mindful breathing. 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 is synonymous with a healthy body. The area most focused on, throughout all the various studies of the health benefits of yoga, has been that of the correlation between yoga and a healthy heart. 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. If you practice yoga regularly, you can improve your body's respiration, circulation, and mental wellbeing. Consider adding yoga to your daily routine - you won't be disappointed with the results!