5 Reasons to Practice Yoga
Yoga is an ancient system that dates back thousands of years. The main goal of yoga, traditionally, is enlightenment. Yoga, which means yoga or union, is a means to create awareness and connection. With modern research and science, we now know that there are additional proven benefits to a regular yoga practice. If you’ve been searching for a reason to try yoga, look no further. Check out our top 5 reasons to practice below.
INCREASED FLEXIBILITY
This one’s a no-brainer, right? Yoga and flexibility seem to go hand-in-hand, but the truth is, you don’t need to bend like a pretzel to take a yoga class (unless you want to). You don’t even need to touch your toes! A regular yoga practice will increase your range of motion and stretch out your muscles, all of which improve your overall flexibility. Try practicing consistently, even just for a week. Your results will surprise you.
IMPROVED BALANCE AND STABILITY
Balance is your ability to control your body without movement, while stability is your ability to control your body during movement. Luckily, yoga helps with both! Yoga strengthens and stretches the muscles that are required for balance. Not only can improved balance and stability help prevent injury, it can also improve your focus. Standing on one leg takes physical and mental power. Consistently practicing yoga can help you feel more balanced, no matter how many legs you’re standing on.
BETTER SLEEP
50 to 70 million adults in the US are affected by a sleep disorder, and many adults cite stress as a reason for disordered sleep. Cortisol, your body’s main stress hormone, can affect your ability to fall asleep and stick to a consistent sleep schedule. A regular yoga practice can help lower cortisol levels and improve both quality of sleep and quality of life. Give yourself the gift of a daily yoga practice - even if it’s just for 5 minutes - and notice how your sleep improves.
LESS STRESS
Stressed out? Yoga can help with that, too! Studies show that yoga can increase Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in the brain. GABA is a naturally occurring amino acid that works as a neurotransmitter in your brain to help regulate nerve activity. Neurotransmitters function as chemical messengers. GABA is considered an inhibitory neurotransmitter because it blocks, or inhibits, certain brain signals and decreases activity in your nervous system.
When GABA attaches to a protein in your brain known as a GABA receptor, it produces a calming effect, which can help decrease feelings of anxiety, stress, and fear. Doctors from Boston University School of Medicine measured GABA levels before and after a session of yoga. Those who practiced yoga observed improved mood and decreased anxiety.
STRONGER BONES
Weight-bearing exercise is proven to help reverse bone loss. Yoga is an accessible, low-impact weight-bearing exercise with a multitude of benefits. In particular, a study in 2015 noted that yoga can help raise bone mineral density and reverse osteoporotic bone loss. Yoga’s ability to improve balance and stability further reduces the rise of a fracture or break.
SOUND LIKE SOMETHING YOU NEED?
Southern Yoga Studio is opening in Rock Hill, SC in April 2022! Owner Shannon Smith, who is also the owner of Medserve Pulmonary REHAB & Physical Therapy, is excited to bring more options to the Rock Hill yoga community. Shannon is a yoga teacher and physical therapist who is passionate about providing a variety of yoga styles and teachers to the Rock Hill community. Yoga is for all y’all.