Developed thousands of years ago, yoga has become an increasingly popular form of exercise in the United States. Whether yoga’s recent increase in popularity is a result of increased stress levels or a new Hollywood trend, the results of practicing yoga are plentiful.
Positive Outlook
Research has shown that yoga has beneficial effects on mood and anxiety. The practice of yoga postures has shown to increase brain GABA levels. And low GABA levels are directly associated with depression and anxiety disorders. Practicing one hour of yoga a day will not only boost your mood, but also your outlook on life in general.
Reduced Back Pain
Practicing yoga can improve chronic lower pack pain and reduce the need for pain medications. A new study has found that 12 weeks of daily yoga classes improved back function and reduced symptoms in those with chronic lower back pain. Posing improves posture and strengthens back muscles, which helps to keep aches and pains away.
Relieve Sleep Problems
A new study has shown that yoga helped relieve chronic insomnia. After practicing yoga before bed for two months, insomniacs fell asleep 15 minutes faster and slept one hour longer each night. Researchers found that yoga helped people relax, making it easier to get a good night’s sleep. Three sessions a week will help you sleep more deeply.
Enhanced Libido
Regular exercise and sex activity is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. It can make you look good, feel good and live longer. Yoga is the best exercise for your sex drive. It helps reduce anxiety, increase body awareness and even speed up the release of hormones that generate arousal. Two hours a week of yoga can significantly help your sex life.
Confidence Booster
Women who practice yoga regularly have high self-confidence. For example, women who practiced yoga regularly rated their body satisfaction 20 percent higher than those who took aerobics, even though both groups were at a healthy weight. This is because yogis continually practice meditation as part of their routine. Meditation allows you to get in tune with your mind and body, which can boost your level of confidence.
Get Toned
Most people feel like they need to hit the gym to get a toned body. Smart yogis know that lifting weights is not the only way to sculpt the body. Yoga is strength training–you use your body weight to move from posture to posture. Poses like Crow, Crescent and Warrior III are all great for muscle building. Dying for washboard abs? Start practicing yoga daily and you’re well on your way to a toned body.
Calms the Body
Yoga is a natural stress eliminator. Research found that women who practiced yoga at least once a week for two years had released 41 percent less of a tension-triggered cytokine that can make you feel tired and moody. Let’s face it, we all feel varying degrees of stress in our lives. When life get’s too tough, yoga can calm the mind and lower stress.
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Emily Carmichael is a freelance writer and holistic advocate. Emily practices earthing, which allows the flow of energy between our bodies and the earth’s surface. This lets us remove the damaging free radicals in the body.
