6 Reasons Why You Need To Start Practicing Yoga

Dating back thousands of years when it originated in India, yoga has a reputation for its positive impact on both physical and mental health. The word literally means “union,” so the duality of its benefits is no surprise. While enhancing your flexibility and strength, you will also be able to practice mindfulness with each movement. 

1. It reduces stress

The most commonly stated reason for why people don’t exercise or engage in much physical activity outside of work, family, and a social life is because there’s just not enough hours in a day. Life is hectic enough, and adding an extra box to the checklist might seem like more of a hassle than it’s worth. However, yoga has actually been known to reduce cortisol hormones, thus stress and anxiety, through its focus on relaxation and total physical and mental presence. 

Getting started on a new activity that is completely foreign to you might not be great for your stress levels. You might be wondering, “What do I need,” “Where do I start,” or “Where can I find more advice on yoga?” Not to worry—-the yogis over at 889 Yoga have the answers so that you can get started down this new path right away. The best time to start yoga is right now, in this present moment.  

2. It boosts organ health 

Any physical activity puts the body’s organs to work. Yoga specifically focuses on breathing, which stimulates the lungs. The copious amounts of sweat you will dispel helps detoxify your body—a necessary step in keeping the temple clean. 

A lesser-known fact in the world of Western medicine about organs is that there is energy flowing between all of them. This energy is referred to as “Qi.” Sometimes the energy can be blocked—-there are many causes and symptoms of this. These blockages can often cause physical illness or emotional turmoil. Yoga is centered around practices that can align chakras and support energy flow in the body to resolve these issues. This will inevitably improve organ function. 

3. It’s a method for practicing mindfulness

There is no yoga without mindfulness. One of the purposes of yoga is to turn down the noise and connect with your deepest innermost self. Breathing exercises, the various poses, and acceptance of the present moment are the basic mindfulness practices carried out in yoga. There are many mental and physical benefits to becoming more mindful, and yoga provides the opportunity of practicing it so that you’re better equipped to carry on about your day mindfully. 

4. It will increase flexibility, mobility, and strength 

People tend to imagine yogis as highly flexible individuals who could put a contortionist to shame—-and for a good reason. Yoga is known to enhance a person’s flexibility and mobility tenfold. But not only will it allow you to touch your toes (and more!), but the many poses require a lot of strength and will actually sculpt muscles you didn’t know you had.

5. It can sharpen your mind and focus

Because yoga is built around the art of quieting the mind and narrowing it in the present moment, it is known to sharpen individuals’ focus and concentration. This helps with memory and brain function. These improvements can positively impact a person’s reaction time. 

6. It can improve posture and body awareness

Many of the poses have strict guidelines as far as posture goes and require a straight back to achieve the pose correctly. Yoga thus provides a chance for people to practice proper posture when many never stop to think about it when they’re hunched over a desk for several hours a day. The attention towards the body’s position and movements promotes body awareness so that you can be more mindful of your body and the effects of certain postures and movements. 

Good posture is key in reducing back pain and anxiety and can also improve breathing and productivity. 

This list of mental and physical advantages of practicing yoga by no means ends here. Both doctors and spiritual teachers praise yoga as one of the best unifying practices for the mind and body. It’s a catch-all method for supporting your mental, physical, emotional, and even spiritual health. This thousand-year-old form of meditation can sharpen you in every area of life, so why not begin right here, right now?