Yoga, just like every other exercise, has various mental, physical and emotional health benefits.
In this article, I outline 10 health benefits of having a consistent yoga exercise schedule.
#1 Health Benefits Of Doing Yoga Consistently- Increased Flexibility and Mobility
One of the most obvious benefits of doing yoga daily is having increased flexibility and mobility.
This is because when you take up those yoga postures, you re-train your muscles tissues to relax and constrict.
This invariably leads to improved flexibility and improved mobility.
#2 Health Benefits Of Doing Yoga Consistently- Reduced Chronic Body Pain
Another very important benefit of yoga is that it reduces chronic back pain.
Chronic pain can be a very disturbing health problem as it can often reduce the quality of life. It can also lead to depression, hence the need to find a long-lasting solution to this
According to studies organized by National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), it has been proven that yoga is a very effective treatment for chronic lower back pain (which is the most common type of chronic pain)
Also, studies published in Annals of Internal Medicine, show that patients with chronic lower-back pain who take up yoga exercises consistently for at least 3 months have reported reduced lower back pain.
Studies also concluded that chronic lower back pain patients who engage in yoga exercises for at least one year are more likely to be able to go off pain relievers.
#3 Health Benefits Of Doing Yoga Consistently- Reduces Stress Levels and Improves Sleep
Reduced stress and improved sleep is a very important benefits of doing yoga.
We all know how important sleep is. Lack of sleep can lead to a number of physical, mental and emotional health issues.
Not to worry, if you are struggling to sleep as a result of stress, yoga can be very helpful
According to a national survey from the NCCIH, about 55% of people that do yoga reported having increased sleep while about 85% reported decreased stress.
This could be because of the breathing exercises during yoga which can help you relax and relieve stress.
#4 Health Benefits Of Doing Yoga Consistently- You Might Lose Weight
You could also end up losing weight by doing yoga regularly.
Now, as you may already know, we have both high-intensity yoga classes and low-intensity yoga classes.
I know it will be very easy for me to convince you that the high-intensity yoga classes can help you lose weight (and they do!) because of the aerobics involved
Well, what about the low-intensity yoga restorative practices? can they really help you lose weight?
Well, according to a study carried out by the American Journal of Managed Care, restorative practices can also help you lose weight.
In this study, they put women into 2 groups, one group concentrated on restorative (low-intensity) practices while the other group focused on aerobics (high-intensity) and this study lasted for 48 weeks.
They found out that the women in the group engaging in restorative practices lost more subcutaneous fat in the first 6 months than the women engaging in high-intensity yoga practices.
So, you see, even restorative yoga practises can help you lose weight.
#5 Health Benefits Of Doing Yoga Consistently- Improved Mental Health
Generally speaking, it has been proven that all types of exercises have been linked to improved mental health and yoga is no exception
According to Frontiers in Psychiatry, it has been suggested that people with depression, schizophrenia, sleep disorders, etc can benefit from practicing yoga
Yoga has been described by many as a way to connect their mind and body together, as a way to keep them “grounded”, “centred” etc
Just like every other type of exercise, you can experience an immediate mood improvement when you do yoga
#6 Health Benefits Of Doing Yoga Consistently- Lowers The Risk Of Heart Disease: Cardio and Circulatory Health Benefits
A study conducted by the American Heart Association shows that the number of younger people, especially women having heart attacks, high blood pressure, and diabetes is dangerously on the rise.
This can be effectively controlled by having consistent, regularly scheduled yoga exercises and this was shown in studies conducted by the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology
They analyzed people with a wide range of heart diseases comparing results of both slow-paced types of exercise and yoga practices.
The results showed that everyone that participated showed a 6 point decrease in the high blood pressure and a 12 point decrease in the bad LDL cholesterol levels.
This proves that both slow-paced exercises e.g brisk walking and all forms of yoga (both high intensity and low intensity) are beneficial in reducing the risk of heart disease.
#7 Health Benefits Of Doing Yoga Consistently- Could ease up Asthma Symptoms
A study conducted by BMC Pulmonary Medicine has shown that yoga, when used complementarily with asthma medications (prescribed by your doctor) can significantly decrease asthmatic symptoms
In the study, women reported reduced asthma symptoms as well as decreased need for medications.
This is linked to the breathing exercises also known as pranayama during the yoga exercise
#8 Health Benefits Of Doing Yoga Consistently- Improves Respiration, Vitality and Energy
The breathing practices during yoga can help to improve respiration leading to adequate exchange of oxygen going into the body and carbon dioxide coming out of the body.
This invariably leads to improved vitality and increased energy levels.
#9 Health Benefits Of Doing Yoga Consistently- Improves Athletic Performance
Yoga can definitely improve your athletic performance or at the very least, help you get better at performing other types of exercises with better stamina.
This is because of the breathing and stretching exercises you get involved in when you do yoga.
You then re-train (slowly but surely) your muscles to do whatever you want them to do.
It is usually a slow process, so it’s not so much about how many yoga exercises you can do at a time but about how consistent you are at doing them.
#10 Health Benefits Of Doing Yoga Consistently- Protection From Injury
Protection from injury is another benefit of doing yoga exercises regularly especially when you are about to get involved in more strenuous exercises
It has been advised that when you are about to start strenuous exercises like running/aerobics/carrying dumbbells, you should start with stretching exercises to reduce the risk of injuries
This is because those stretching exercises, like yoga, help to prevent wear and tear of the muscles as those muscles are about to be subjected to more strenuous exercises
As you might already know, yoga exercises comprise of a lot of stretching and maintaining prolonged posture forms
Also read, ” 11 Health Benefits Of Consuming Yogurt Regularly “
CONCLUSION
Below is a summary of all the benefits of having a regular yoga schedule
1. Increased Flexibility and Mobility
2. Reduced Chronic Body Pain
3. Reduces Stress Levels and Improves Sleep
4. You Might Lose Weight
5. Improved Mental Health
6. Lowers The Risk Of Heart Disease
7. Could ease up Asthma Symptoms
8. Improves Respiration, Vitality and Energy
9. Improves Athletic Performance
10. Protection From Injury
Comment below and let us know your personal experiences with yoga and how you have benefited from keeping a consistent yoga exercise schedule
DISCLAIMER
This content is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for formal and individualized diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed medical professional. Do not stop or alter your current course of treatment. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.