Yoga is actually an ancient practice that connects the mind, body, and spirit through body poses, controlled breathing, and meditation. A set of specific exercises, called Asanas (poses), combined with specific breathing techniques and meditation principles are the building blocks of yoga. If a pose causes pain or proves too difficult, it can be made easy by variation and quite changing it with the help of props like blocks, blankets, and straps, even chairs can be used to help you get the most benefit from the poses. Yoga is not one-size-fits-all: The best yoga workout for you will depend on your individual needs and goals.
The benefits of a regular yoga practice are wide-ranging. In general, a complete yoga workout can help keep your back and joints healthy, improve your overall posture, stretch and strengthen muscles and improve your balance. According to Dr.Timothy McCall (Auther of “Yoga as Medicine”), Yoga’s focus on the breath can calm you and help you learn to be more mindful of your body and that can help you to move with greater ease. In recent years, more and more research is demonstrating the wide-ranging health benefits of yoga.
The practice of yoga has many health benefits associated with it, From lowering blood pressure to increasing pain tolerance, the following health benefits can all be discovered within the body.
1. Lower blood pressure.
A consistent yoga practice decreases blood pressure through better circulation and oxygenation of the body.
2. Pulse rate.
A slower pulse rate indicates that your heart is strong enough to pump more blood with fewer beats. Regularly practicing yoga provides a lower pulse rate.
3. Improves blood circulation.
Yoga improves blood circulation. By transporting nutrients and oxygen throughout your body, yoga practice provides healthier organs, skin, and brain.
4. Decreases the respiratory rate
Like the circulatory system, a lower respiratory rate indicates that the lungs are working more efficiently. Yoga decreases the respiratory rate through a combination of controlled breathing exercises and better fitness.
5. Cardiovascular endurance.
A combination of lower heart rate and improved oxygenation to the body (both benefits of yoga) results in higher cardiovascular endurance.
6. Internal organs.
Yoga practice massages internal organs, thus improving the ability of the body to prevent disease. Additionally, an experienced yoga practitioner becomes better attuned to her body to know at first sign if something isn’t functioning properly, thereby allowing for a quicker response to head off disease.
7. Gastrointestinal.
Gastrointestinal functions have been shown to improve in both men and women who practice yoga.
8. Yoga increases immunity power
Yoga practice has frequently been correlated with a stronger immune system.
9. Tolerance to pain
Pain tolerance is much higher among those who practice yoga regularly. In addition to pain tolerance, some instances of chronic pain, such as back pain, are lessened or eliminated through yoga (see below for more on back pain).
10. Balanced metabolism.
Having a balanced metabolism results in maintaining a healthy weight and controlling hunger. Consistent yoga practice helps find balance and creates a more efficient metabolism.