In an article I posted last month, I briefly touched on the benefits of yoga. I wrote about a local yoga studio in Coppell, Yoga From The Heart, and discussed the history of the business.
To expand on my earlier article, I want to discuss five benefits to immersing yourself in yoga.
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Improves flexibility
While this is the most obvious way yoga improves your health, it still makes a big difference. The benefits to stretching include improving back pain, prevents injuries and allows for easy functionality of moving.
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Helps posture
Downward facing dog, the tree pose and the cobra pose are among the many yoga poses that helps improve posture. If you do not want to be seeing your chiropractor every week, doing these poses will help align your bones and joints. Also, not only do you outwardly look better, your spine also thanks you.
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Reduces weight
In a study done by Harvard Health Publications, “[people] who practiced yoga had lower body mass indexes (BMIs) compared to those who did not practice yoga.” Yogis are more aware of being “mindful eaters”, meaning they are more aware of how their body is reacting to hunger, which allows them to be a healthier eater.
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Reduces stress
It is a commonly known conception that exercise relieves stress. Since yoga is exercise, you are helping your mind and body relieve the stresses in your life. Yoga allows you to concentrate and relax because of the meditation and breathing exercises already apart of yoga.
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Improves cardiovascular health
According to research from Erasmus University Medical Center and Harvard School of Public Health, yoga lowers blood pressure and improves cholesterol levels. Additionally, cardiac rehabilitation programs are starting to include yoga.
The great benefit to yoga is that there are many options to do it: you can do it at the comfort of your own home, take a class or even do it in a park.
Here is a list of YouTube channels that you can start with at the comfort of your own home:
If you would rather take a class outside or in a yoga studio, here is a list of events in the D/FW area: