Friday, May 7, 2010

Why Practice Yoga?

By Katie S. May

The world has realized the significance of yoga and knows what all it can do. But, still there are some folks who haven't managed to look into the benefits of this physical and mental therapy. Are you hunting for reasons to start practicing this form of exercise? If yes then get set to know the numerous physical as well as psychological benefits offered by yoga.

The first basic reason for doing yoga is that it makes the body flexible. It is one of the widely known advantages of yoga. Yoga aims at making the entire body flexible with a focus on certain body parts like hips, legs, shoulders and back. Yoga incorporates numerous asanas which makes the body endure a large amount of stretching. As the body stretches, the range of muscles movement is increased significantly. This makes the body agile and flexible.

Yoga also boosts the overall strength of your body. It enhances your ability to support your own body. Besides, regular working on various body parts improves the power of your body. Additionally, it also tones your muscles. Regular practice of yoga yields lean muscles, which subsequently helps in weight loss.

Another important benefit that yoga offers is that it combats pain. Yoga gives flexibility to the body by keeping the muscles in movement. This relieves the tightness of muscles and hence helps to counter discomfort. This is the reason yoga might also be of great help in relieving back pain.

Correct respiring is the way to a healthy life. It reinforces the overall health of the body. Most of the people are unaware of the right way of breathing and thus can be seen practicing shallow breathing. This way of respiring thwarts the air from reaching the lungs proprerly. In such a case, yoga proves actually favourable. It makes use of many breathing techniques that help you to breathe in the correct manner.

Besides offering you many physical benefits, yoga benefits you at the mental level too. It calms and relaxes your mind, reduces stress and improves your concentration levels too. If you tend to get angry too frequently, then yoga can help you a great deal. It asks you to concentrate on your body which brings quietness.

Yoga is also a very effective stress management technique. It helps you remain unaffected by everyday stressors and hence relaxes your mind. Meditation which is an integral part of yoga is one of the best techniques to relax your mind and ease out your body. If you practice yoga on a consistent basis, you are bound to stay away from stress quite effectively.

Last but not the least, yoga improves concentration. There are plenty of us who find it difficult to focus or concentrate on things. It is here that yoga comes to help. It inculcates the habit to focus by making you concentrate on your body and inner self. Thus you get more aware of yourself while being able to concentrate better.

With so many benefits, you certainly know why you should practice yoga.

About the Author:

No comments: