Physical Benefits of Yoga
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Increases body awareness.
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Stretches and lengthens the muscles.
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Stretches the soft tissues of the body. (Tendons, ligaments, and the fascia sheath that surrounds the muscles.)
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Releases lactic acid build up. (Lactic acid can cause muscle soreness, stiffness, pain, and fatigue.)
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Increases range of motion in the joints.
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Increases muscle tone. (From the larger ones to some of the smaller, less-used muscles.)
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Increases endurance. (This depends on the style of yoga as some are more conducive to improving endurance, such as vinyasa, ashtanga, and other power styles.)
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Helps develop motor skills for kids.
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Improves balance.
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Improves coordination.
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Improves posture. (Increases in strength, especially core strength, flexibility, and bodily awareness can lead to improvements in posture. Moreover, each pose give specific attention and focus to proper alignment.)
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Improves respiration. (Increased lung capacity due to yoga’s emphasis on deeper and fuller breathing.)
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Improves circulation of blood.
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Improves stress-management (or less stress). (Yoga’s emphasis on deepening and lengthening the breath helps to initiate the body’s relaxation response.)
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Lowers levels of adrenaline, cortisol, and catecholamines (all responses to stress.)
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Increases energy and vitality.
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Lowers blood pressure.
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Lowers pulse rate.
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Lowers cholesterol.
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Eases the symptoms of asthma.
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Facilitates weight loss. (Primarily through better lifestyle choices.)
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Strengthens the immune system.
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Improves oxygen delivery to cells.
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Helps to prevent loss of bone density (osteoporosis).
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Reduces or even eliminates pain, both acute and chronic. (Including those associated with arthritis and fibromyalgia.)
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Improves sleep and decreases symptoms and occurrence of insomnia.
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Improve conditions of irregular heart rhythm.
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Helps to maintain a balanced metabolism.
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Protects against future injury.
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Aids the recovery of stroke victims.
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Massages the internal organs.
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Improves lymphatic functioning.
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Helps prevent hardening of the arteries.
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Aids and improves digestion and elimination processes.
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Helps to detoxify the body.
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Improves depth perception.
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Improves endocrine functioning (normalization).
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Reduces sodium levels.
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Increases level of red blood cells.
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Increases core stability.
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Improves agility.
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Improves reaction time.
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Decreases inflammatory markers.
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Decrease in cellular aging.
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Reduces blood glucose levels. (Especially helpful for diabetics.)
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Aids in sensory integration (especially helpful for both kids and adults with Autism).
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Improves lipid profile.
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Improves symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. (Improved grip and reduction of pain.)
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Decreases occurrence of tension headaches and migraines.
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Relieves some symptoms and discomfort associated with menstruation and menopause.
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Promotes nasal breathing. (Filters, warms, and humidifies the air).
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Aids in common pregnancy discomforts such as bloating and backaches.
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Helps manage the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
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Improves spinal curvature. (Can even help straighten curvature associated with scoliosis.)
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Elevates brain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels. (Lows levels are associated with Alzheimer’s disease.)
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Improves sexual functioning.
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Calms the nervous system.
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Nourishes intervertebral discs.
Mental and/or Emotional
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Increases experience of relaxation.
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Provides a deeper appreciation for the present moment, or mindfulness.
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Allows for greater mind control, or control over the thoughts.
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Increases mental clarity.
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Improves concentration and focus.
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Improves self-discipline.
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Expands imagination and creativity (especially in children).
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Elevates mood and feelings of contentment.
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Increases self-awareness.
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Increases self-confidence.
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Increases optimism.
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Provides much-needed “me-time.” (Especially important for parents)
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Increases mental strength, or willpower.
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Improves symptoms of certain neuropsychiatric disorders. (Including schizophrenia and ADHD.)
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Reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression.
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Improves learning efficiency.
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Improvements in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
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Reduces symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
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Fosters a healthier body-image.
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Improves emotional control. (Especially over feelings such as anger or hostility.)
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Improves self-control. (Contributes to better choices and habits.)
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Increases experience of positive emotions. (Joy, peace.)
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Decreases experience of negative emotions. (Fear, frustration, worries.)
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Improves the mind-body connection. (Comes from synchronizing breathing with movement. Retrains the mind to find a place a peace and calm.)
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Improves relationships with others.
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May decrease feelings of loneliness (especially in elderly practitioners).
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Increases sense of emotional healing and well-being.
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Increases ability to handle disappointment and adversity.
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Increases open-mindedness.
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Improves intuitive abilities.
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Increases sense of community. (When practiced in a group setting.)
Spiritual
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Encourages self-knowledge.
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Stimulates the energy centres of the body.
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Increases ability to manifest positive experiences in daily life.
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Discovery or connection with one’s sense of purpose or meaning in life.
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Creates a sense of being more in-tune with one’s inner consciousness.
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Leads to a greater sense of connectedness to others and the world.
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Fosters a greater sense of appreciation of each experience for what it is.
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Fosters a deeper sense of gratitude in general.
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Leads to a sense of fulfilment.