Maybe you have heard that yoga is super beneficial, maybe you haven’t. Regardless, you have found yourself here, curious as to what those benefits are. One of the coolest parts of yoga is that isn’t just healthy exercise for your body, but for your mind. In fact, according to multiple studies, yoga has shown to decrease the stress hormones, primarily cortisol. If you are thinking about taking up yoga at your nearby fitness gym in Arlington, or have just begun, keep reading to learn about some of the amazing benefits yoga has on your body, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

The Physical Benefits of Yoga

Yoga has multiple physical benefits and is an all-around incredible workout for your entire body. Yoga does a great job in increasing core strength and muscle tone. Increased core strength and muscle tone aids the body in weight loss, metabolism function, balance, and more. While yoga is one of the only physical exercises that also aids in relaxation, it can assist those suffering from chronic pain, i.e., arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches, etc. So, what are all the physical benefits of yoga?

• Lowered blood pressure
• Increase in flexibility
• Increase in core muscle strength and tone
• Weight loss
• Improved respiratory qualities
• Improved energy levels
• Improved circulatory health
• Improved athletic performance
• Protection from day-to-day injury risk
• Can reduce inflammation
• Promoted metabolism balance
• Improved heart health
• Improved balance

There is no doubt that there are multiple physical benefits to yoga. In fact, science backs it up. One of many studies conducted found that the participants who were 40 years and older had lower blood pressure and a lower pulse rate after 5 years of yoga practice. Another study took 113 participants with heart disease and implemented them into a yearlong yoga program with incorporated dietary modifications and stress management. The study showed that the participants had a 23% decrease in total cholesterol and a 26% decrease in “bad” cholesterol. In almost half of the patients, the progression of their heart disease even came to a halt.

The Mental and Emotional Benefits of Yoga

Yoga is well-known for its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. In fact, multiple scientific studies have proven it. A particular study took 24 women who admitted to being emotionally distressed. The study followed these women for 3 months of a yoga program, resulting in notably lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone). The women noted that they had lower levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and fatigue. This is just one of the studies that has proven yoga to lower levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and even symptoms of PTSD. So, what are all the mental benefits of yoga?

• Stress relief
• Anxiety relief
• Reduced fatigue
• Reduced symptoms of PTSD
• Reduced Insomnia
• Can help fight depression
• Mental clarity
• Calmness
• A sense of well-being
• A sense of body and mind awareness
• Improved attention and ability to focus

The benefits of yoga are clear. If you aren’t convinced to try it for yourself after reading this post, we’d be surprised. If you are looking for great group workout classes in Arlington, with yoga as one of our specialties, come see us at Fitness Nation today.