This post is also available in: Spanish
YOGA, four letters for a 5 000 years old discipline from India that helps balance your body and mind. Anyone can do it regardless of age or fitness level. There are different kinds of yoga: Vinyasa, Hatha, Ashtanga, Bikram, etc. There is no reason not to try, especially if you consider all the benefits it provides you. Here are some of them:
1. It reduces stress
Everybody ask me what I do to manage stress so well. The answer is simple: I do yoga. While practicing, your mind is fully concentrated on yourself. You have to be fully focused, specially on the challenging poses, as most of the time you are trying to keep your balance while remaining calm. You are totally immersed in the present moment. After a yoga session, you are completely relaxed, at peace and with a clear mind.
2. You will become (more) flexible
People tend to tell me, “I am not flexible at all, I cannot do yoga”. Well I was not so flexible before either, so that should not stop you from trying! Many poses require twists and bends so you will stretch your body and your joints and will feel the difference even at the end of your first session. Yoga is a journey, so the more you practice, the more you will improve yourself in all areas.
3. You will improve your muscle tone and strength
Yoga will make you stronger: your upper body, legs and lower back will benefit without wrecking you like other sports. You are engaging your core in lots of poses especially in plank. The good news it that you do not need to lift weights to gain muscles. I developed many of my muscles thanks to yoga.
4. You will challenge yourself
This is one of the best parts of yoga for me. You set a goal and each session you improve yourself. You are not going to tell yourself that it is impossible. Yes, you will find it hard at the beginning but you are going to push yourself on mastering that pose you really like or those ones that you find more difficult. It is addictive, trust me!
5. You will learn to breathe better
Each posture is connected to your breathing. You will learn to regulate it and to breathe deeply. Your stamina will increase and it will help you in any other workouts.
6. You will improve your sleep and overall health
In each session, you are focusing on the here and now: on your body, the pose your are performing, on how to improve it. You are not thinking about your problems anymore as you are (or at least should be) fully concentrated. At the end you are at ease and calm. Every trace of stress or anxiety are gone thus benefiting your body, improving your health and your sleep. Yoga will even help your digestive system, promote detoxification and will increase your performance on all other sports and your life as a whole. Like we mentioned to you before, working-out helps you sleep better, especially yoga.
Best of all is that you don’t need any special equipment except a mat (or something cushy, specially for your knees) and some space. And guess what? You can practice it everywhere! That is the beauty of yoga!
So get on your mat and enjoy the journey!
Share your thoughts with your Facebook, Wordpress, Google or Disqus account <3