Many people think that yoga is a leisurely form of exercise patronized by women and the elderly. They would be surprised to know that even professional athletes perform yoga workouts to maintain peak fitness.
The Benefits
There are many benefits of adding yoga to your fitness or health regime. It strengthens and tones your body in a uniform manner, without overdeveloping specific muscles. You can use yoga to improve your flexibility and balance, better posture, breathing benefits, and calming.
Health Benefits
Here’s a few of the health benefits:
- Lubricates the tendons, ligaments and joints
- Massages and stimulates the internal organs of the body
- Flushes out toxins
- Helps to deal with chronic problems like lower back pain and joint pain
- Increases blood flow to the tissues of the body
- Raises the heart rate and helps to burn excess flab
- Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol
Calming Benefits
Some yoga techniques use meditation to aide you in calming your mind and spirit. This is definitely the type of yoga I could see me practicing. Focusing on your breathing techniques can also be calming in conjunction with yoga.
How Do You Get Started?
First of all, you’re going to need some supplies to get you started. Check out some of these hot deals!
Daisi Yoga Pants
These look totally comfy!
Daisi Yoga Pant Women’s Workout – Blue – $26.99, Free shipping – Available at 6pm.com
Black Mat PRO Yoga Mat – BM71 MDK001
A yoga mat of some sort is definitely needed. This one is also easy to store and tote around!
Black Mat PRO Yoga Mat – BM71 MDK001 – $100.00, Free shipping – Available at REI
Yoga for mental fitness
Optimum fitness means a sound mind in a healthy body. Yoga and meditation are known to reduce anxiety and stress levels. They can help you concentrate better on the job at hand. Yoga also helps to raise your awareness and acceptance of your body and mind. With regular practice, you would be able to perform each pose gracefully, and enjoy your body’s movements mindfully.
Medium Zabuton Meditation Mat, Olive – $51.95, 11.95 shipping – Available at Amazon.com Marketplace
It is not surprising that most fitness centers and health clubs have included yoga as a mainstay in their schedule. You should take care not to treat yoga as merely a physical workout, but also try to imbibe and benefit from the psychological and spiritual aspects of this proven exercise method.
Over To You
Do you practice yoga or have you ever? Can you see the physical health benefits as well as the mental? Please share with us below and don’t forget to pass it along.