Yoga Health

The ancient spiritual practice of Yoga began in India but many people across the globe today practice this ancient art form for its health benefits. Yoga uses both mind and body, but what are the benefits of yoga for a person who wishes to join a class for the first time?

Yoga Health Benefits

People start doing yoga for many different reasons, maybe to alleviate back pain, to become stronger or more flexible or to feel more relaxed and to improve their body. The health benefits of yoga include;

Increased strength
Improved flexibility
Pain relief
Better posture
Improved breathing
Improved balance and co-ordination
Stress relief
Improved sleep
Relaxation in mind and body
Improved focus and concentration
Weight loss

Yoga postures are called asanas and there are hundreds of them, each with a health benefit. Some postures assist in stretching and relaxing muscles, some develop flexibility particularly to joints. Many postures will relieve digestive complaints and boosts lymphatic flow and circulation. Set poses will strengthen and tone specific body areas, for example; toning the waist or abdomen or building on upper body strength. Some of the inverted and standing postures will improve balance and co-ordination.

In a usual class an assortment of postures are used together in a sequence which will strengthen and stretch every part of the body. If yoga is practised on a regular basis strength and flexibility are increased. It is believed in India that yoga will also cure illness and this concept is now being used in the West in yoga therapy.