Overview
There are several benefits to Yoga, but a lot of them are not supported by science. The media will portray yoga with poses that are also impossible for a beginner which puts people off. However, that is not always the case when it comes to exercising. Let us see, what are the benefits of Yoga that are supported by science, and, how can it improve your health.
Yoga Improves Flexibility
The well-known fact about Yoga is that it can improve flexibility. It is important for our overall health and luckily there are many different forms. Furthermore, it has also improved the flexibility of people aged 65 and above. If you think that you are rigid and not as flexible as you should be, we would advise you to start attending yoga classes. One of those exercises is Chakrasana aka Urdhva Dhanurasana. This is a yoga exercise that helps improve flexibility in the back.
Yoga Can Help Relieve Stress
The APA (American Psychological Association) stated that around 84% of Americans are feeling stressed. One of the main reasons people partake in yoga is down to the fact they wish to relieve stress. Believe it or not, science also supports that Yoga is a coping mechanism for stress. Simply because this is linked with your breathing. Deep inhales and exhales are something that has also managed to relieve stress.
There are many other breathing exercises that help with stress so this is why yoga is one of those coping mechanisms.
The following are some of the yoga poses that help you relieve stress.
Yoga May Improve Mental Health
MDD (major depressive disorder) is one of the most common mental health disorders in the western world. However, science has also backed that a good coping mechanism by a meta-analysis back in 2017 looked at 23 studies that supported this. Both breathing-based practices and yoga poses have shown that they are capable of helping those who suffer from mental health issues. You may find further details on how yoga can help improve your mental health.
It May Reduce Inflammation
Some scientific studies have shown that Yoga may be able to help inflammation, reducing biochemical markers of several chronic conditions. However, If you are noticing any types of chronic inflammation then we would advise you to contact your local GP so they can perform scans and advise you on what you can do.
Yoga May Improve Your Strength
Yoga requires a lot of core engagement meaning that it will make your core stronger. Despite people associating it with improving your mental health and flexibility, it is a way to make you stronger. Although it depends on the type of yoga exercises that you are performing. It is one of the many benefits of yoga, simply because of the many benefits that come with yoga.
It May Also Reduce Anxiety
As mentioned earlier, Yoga helps with a lot of mental health issues. Another common mental health issue that people suffer from is anxiety. It is believed to be one of the most common mental health disorders in the United States.
The sad reality is that there are many anxiety disorders that people suffer from. A lot of them require different treatments or coping mechanisms. It all depends on the individual and how they react to it. Nonetheless, there have been several studies to suggest that Yoga has helped some people with their anxiety disorders. A more specific type of yoga, Yoga Nidra, has been shown to reduce the symptoms of anxiety. Some people may even take magnesium supplements as some studies have shown them to improve mental health issues such as anxiety.
It May Help Improve Quality of Life
Yoga is something that many celebrities and athletes claim to do to help improve their performance. Not only does it improve their performance but it also helps those who look to prolong their career. One athlete that claimed to do Yoga was Ryan Giggs, the former footballer at Manchester United. He said that doing yoga exercises throughout his career helped prolong his career and keep him performing at the top level.
Moreover,
Yoga May Also Improve the Cardiovascular System
The breathing practices that you perform during yoga exercises may improve cardiovascular functioning. Not only does it help with controlling the pace of your breathing. It also helps improve your lung capacity and the contractions of your heart. Also, there is scientific evidence that suggests yoga helps manage hypertension.
Other Benefits
Apart from the above benefits, yoga can offer many other benefits that include the following.
Summary
There are many benefits of yoga exercises that are supported by modern science. One thing that is for sure is that it is a great way to improve your flexibility. It is also a great exercise for you to improve your core strength although that depends on the different yoga exercises that you perform. Even way, if you are looking to improve your quality of life, you should try yoga.
