Wanna know a secret? Do Yoga!
Yoga: Warrior 2 Position, Photo by lululemon athletica
If you haven’t heard of yoga before, you must be living under a rock. While it has been practiced for thousands of years, yoga has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. According to an article on WebMD, there are currently close to 11 million Americans taking advantage of the health benefits of following a yoga routine.
I am one of those 11 million. I have been doing yoga off and on for about a year now. More recently, I have been doing at least 20 minutes of yoga two times a week. I can’t begin to tell you how much better I feel. And not only do I feel better because I am exercising, but I feel better because I am reaping the many benefits that yoga has to offer.
According to the website HealthandYoga, one benefit of yoga is increased flexibility. Through the various poses and stances, muscles are worked that would not otherwise get any attention. Through my years of playing high school and college sports, I know that flexibility decreases the chance of injuries and tears and also gives you a better range of motion. So, in essence, it will make you a stronger, faster, better athlete.
Yoga will also increase your strength and improve your posture. The required poses and stances will build and elongate your muscles, which according to WebMD, will give you a “heightened awareness that tells you more quickly when you’re slouching or slumping so you can adjust your posture.”
For me, and probably thousands of women out there, reducing stress is something I just can’t seem to get enough of. Practicing yoga is a definite stress reducer, as you focus on breathing and stretching, rather than everything else you have to do. An added plus is that your lung capacity will increase and stress-reducing hormones are released. What more could you ask for?
There are also various studies that indicate yoga is a heart-healthy exercise, as it lowers blood pressure and slows the resting heart rate. WebMD states that “on a biochemical level, studies point to a possible anti-oxidant effect of yoga. And yoga has been associated with decreased cholesterol and triglyceride levels as well as a boost in immune system function.”
I could go on and on about the scientifically proven health benefits of yoga, but simply hearing about it may not give you the motivation you need. I want to challenge you ladies out there to try out a yoga routine and see for yourself. Although it may not be for everyone, I know there are some of you out there who will feel completely transformed. That is certainly the case for me.
I think this applies to men as well. I recently started incorporating yoga into my routine and I must say that I had severely underrated it. I love it. Relaxes me. Gives me a good workout and is low impact.
I totally agree. I think that yoga is awesome for men and for women. It is especially good for muscular guys who tend to lose their flexibility as their muscle mass increases. Doing yoga will give you added flexibility and will keep you from injuring yourself.
i totally agree with you, yoga is not just for ladies, i know yoga is so challenging but I wasn’t always able to do it multiple times per week.
Great Post!!! I Love Yoga!!
Hey now, yoga isn’t just for the ladies. I’ve been doing an hour per week for several months now, and feel it’s really helped me with my flexibility which in turn helps me avoid injury.
Another side benefit that I’ve seen, is that it has helped me learn how to better regulate my breathing during long cardio sessions.
Nice post, but don’t forget the boys!
Thanks for sharing, Luke! I totally recommend boys doing yoga, too!
Yoga is so challenging!! how do you do it so much every week?!?!
I wasn’t always able to do it multiple times per week. I built up strength and endurance and can do it longer and more often than ever before. Plus, it is such a good workout I actually crave it!!
Yoga would have never been something I would try until recently the Prana Yoga Center in Geneva, Illinois offered “A Taste of Yoga” (aka – free yoga lessons for one week). I am grateful to them because I would never have known how beneficial yoga is to the mind and the body.
It definitely applies to men as well! I used to have a ridiculous amount of tension in my neck and shoulder, so I gave yoga a try. I’ve been hooked on it ever since. Yes, it makes you feel really good. I also tried a little Kundalini yoga and found my energy levels skyrocket after doing so. It’s good stuff!
I’ve never heard of that type of yoga before. What is it exactly?
I totally agree about how Yoga makes you feel great. But even more, it just makes you realize how little you (I?) pay attention to your body. You can actually feel how breathing affects your body!
But I hope nobody thinks that Yoga is a cure for obesity. It is not. You can work out for an hour and only burn the calories contained in two pieces of bread. Yoga is going to need to be combined with diet for weight loss
Love the blog!
My girl is doing Joga and yes it makes you feel good according to her. He! He! I wonder if it applies for me too. Oh well this is an excellent read. Very well structured and presented, aside from the fact that it is informative. I will share this to my girl when she gets home.
i totally agree with you, yoga is not just for ladies, i know yoga is so challenging but I wasn’t always able to do it multiple times per week.
A very big advantage of doing Yoga for me has been that I feel more relaxed and cope with stress better. As a result it is easier to stay on my diet.
Agreed. It is definitely a great way to relax!
Yoga is definitely great for the mind, body, and soul. Keep up the good work.
Yoga is a really great way to learn your body and get control over your breathing. I recommend it to everyone! Great post.
I agree that Yoga can be very challenging, to the point that I even avoided it a certain times, even knowing how good it was for me.
But I always feel greatly accomplished when I finish a routine in good form.
I have thought about yoga and pilates since I went to the docs with a back problem and he informed me I wasnt very flexible.
Do people think its best to join a class or just do it at home ?
Yoga changed my life – that and losing 35 lbs. First time here – great blog! Will visit again!
Thank-you!
Diane
I just recently started doing Yoga and it is definitely challenging, but uplifting, too. I’m enjoying taking myself to new levels. Great post.
Yoga is a great and relaxing exercise. I have just taken it up in my local gym and it was the best class choice ever. I am very stresses because of my job but since I have started practicing yoga I feel much better and can have nice relaxing evenings. Yoga definitely helps me enjoy my life and detache from work related stress.
Very very good post. Yoga can change your body. Yoga can change your mind. Yoga can change your complete existence.
The only thing to keep in mind is patience. Noticeable differences can be seen slowly.
So have patience. Do yoga and change yourself completely.
totally agree yoga is great- combines well with cardio exercise and healthy eating to give you complete results
i have a cousin in love with yoga because she loose 15 pounds
I started doing yoga a few months ago and I totally vouch for that. It makes you feel great. Great work out also.
My sister-in-law just opened a Yoga studio in Calgary – $$$$ – takes it very seriously – loves it.
It’s Cool!!!
I love yoga.
Yoga is the best! I teach yoga, and I could’nt live without it. It;s not only great for your body by improving stregth, flexibility, balance…but it’s amazing for the mind! To me and I’m sure millions of other people, it is like therapy!
My partner never tried yoga before he met me, and even after we started going out together he still didnt, until one day he injured his back in the gym (he works out alot and very heavy) and I made him do some yoga with me. After that he was hooked, and now he does it at least once a week! He was so stiff before, now his flexibility has improved loads, really helping him in his workouts, doesnt injure himself anymore, and also relaxes him. Now on Sundays we go and do a class together, and we love it!