10 reasons to give yoga chance
<p>It can daunting to try something new – especially when it comes to exercise. So many people say “I’m just not a yoga person” or “I’m not flexible enough”. Yoga is one of the most accommodating disciplines because it allows you go at your own pace. Once you get the basics and start to understand how it works, it has some serious health benefits too.</p>
<p>Here are 10 of the benefits yoga can bring into your life, if you just give it a chance.</p>
<p><strong>1. Improves flexibility</strong></p>
<p>During your first class, you probably won’t be able to touch your toes, never mind do a backbend. Eventually, however, you will see a gradual loosening of the body and those seemingly impossible poses will become possible. You’ll also probably notice that aches and pains start to disappear as inflexibility causes poor posture. </p>
<p><strong>2. Builds muscle strength</strong></p>
<p>Strong muscles protect us from conditions like arthritis and back pain, and help prevent falls. So this is a very worthwhile reason to try yoga as you age.</p>
<p><strong>3. Perfect your posture</strong></p>
<p>Yoga focuses on the body’s alignment. Think of it like this: Your head is like a heavy bowling ball, however, when it’s balanced directly over an erect spine, it takes much less work for your neck and back muscles to support it. </p>
<p><strong>4. Optimal bone health</strong></p>
<p>Weight-bearing exercises strengthen bones and helps ward off osteoporosis. Many postures in yoga require that you lift your own weight. And some help strengthen the arm bones, which are particularly vulnerable to osteoporotic fractures. </p>
<p><strong>5. Increase your blood flow</strong></p>
<p>Yoga gets your blood flowing. More specifically, the relaxation exercises you learn in yoga can help your circulation, especially in your hands and feet. Yoga also gets more oxygen to your cells, which function better as a result. </p>
<p><strong>6. Increases your heart rate</strong></p>
<p>When you regularly get your heart rate into the aerobic range, you lower your risk of heart attack and can even relieve depression. While not all yoga is aerobic, if you do it vigorously or do higher intensity classes, it can boost your heart rate into the aerobic range. </p>
<p><strong>7. Happiness boost</strong></p>
<p>Studies have found that a consistent yoga practice improves depression. It has also be shown that yoga leads to a significant increase in serotonin levels as well as a decrease in the levels of monoamine oxidase (an enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters) and cortisol (the stress hormone).</p>
<p><strong>8. Improves focus</strong></p>
<p>An important component of yoga is focussing on the present. Studies have found that regular yoga practice improves coordination, reaction time, memory, and even IQ scores. </p>
<p><strong>9. Better balance</strong></p>
<p>Yoga increases the ability to feel what your body is doing and where it is in space. This translates into more physical awareness and control over your body.</p>
<p><strong>10. Sleep better</strong></p>
<p>Do you suffer from sleep apnea? Yoga is as much a guided mediation as it is a workout. This will in turn help you sleep.</p>
<p><strong>Related links:</strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/health/body/2015/12/unexpected-ways-to-get-fit-for-the-new-year/">10 unexpected ways to get in shape for the New Year</a></em></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/body/2016/02/fool-brain-into-healthier-eating/">The brain trick to become a healthier eater</a></em></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/body/2016/02/tips-to-beat-hay-fever/">3 tips to beat hay fever</a></em></strong></span></p>
