8 Yoga Health Benefits

There are benefits of going to a yoga class and being a part of that energy.  You meet like-minded people, have an ambiance in the room, and feel the energy from others around you. It’s quite comforting and enjoyable.

Don’t worry, no one is looking at you or judging you.  Part of yoga is focusing on your own body and breathing, so focusing on anyone else is almost impossible if you’re focusing on yourself. 

You may be intimidated to start yoga because you think you’re not flexible enough (most common), aren’t sure how to even start, or think you have to do crow pose or a headstand right off the bat.  Not true; you work your way up the yoga ladder to obtain these poses.

Flexibility is why you do yoga. It helps you to become more flexible over time, you start off by bringing your yoga mat to the floor/studio.  You follow the easy instructions by your instructor and work your way through salutations, poses, and guided meditation. You’ll learn to live for Savasana, especially after a class that really pushes you. 

You’ll learn the names of each yoga pose in Sanskrit.

Not like you have to learn it to have a test or anything like that but rather through repetition in doing yoga regularly.  Words like Asana, Pranayama, Savasana, Chaturanga Dandasana, Utkatasana, Uttanasana to name a few will slowly become second nature. 

Trust me, if you’re new to yoga, it will grow on you.  You might even become a yoga fanatic. The first time I tried yoga was many moons ago, more like 18 years ago. I fell in love with yoga, from the class to the people, how it made me feel and spiritual connection. All of it!  

I loved it and began attending a yoga class 4-5 times a week.  I lived in the yoga studio for about a year and a half 4-5 times a week.  We primarily practiced Baptiste Power Yoga. I loved it, hot yoga with a fast-paced flow.  It was a great workout. Then life happened, and I tapered off but never truly stopped yoga.

Yoga on Youtube

So I continued at home and did my best as this was before youtube and having the ability to stream a class at home.  Then I found other studios and went to classes there for a bit. I prefer smaller classes, more intimate settings, and over time no yoga class fees.  

The great thing about yoga is that you can start it anytime, and requires nothing more than a mat.  These days you can do yoga at home with youtube channels like Yoga with Adrienne, Journey Junkie, and sooo many more.  You can try out different ones until you find one that you like.  

For the past 2-3 years, I’ve been doing yoga at home with my favorite youtube channelers.  I began with Yoga with Adrienne, love her and her personality. But then I needed a bit more challenging poses and flow.  I tried a few other channels, I can’t remember them all until I found one I liked. 

That’s when I landed on The Journey Junkie.  Allie’s style is more challenging, which is what I need and she has a great back story. She and her husband live on a sailboat and travel the world. So she is constantly filming in different parts of the world, which makes it more interesting for us at home.  

If you set the “mood” at home, you can recreate the same atmosphere you would get at a yoga studio, more or less.  You can turn the lights down, diffuse essential oils, play yoga music, and be in a quiet space. It’s your space you get to do exactly what you like.  

BENEFITS OF YOGA

Another misconception is that there is just one type of yoga. But that is not true.  The fact that there are so many types or styles allows it to be customizable to what you like.  Try different types to see what speaks to you.  

There are many health benefits of doing yoga, as well.  Don’t be fooled into thinking that yoga is not a “real” exercise.  Try a hot or power yoga class and see if you still think the same thing. 

Flexibility

The number one thing yoga will improve your flexibility.  Yoga is a sequence of poses that allow continuous stretching and strengthening of muscles and joints. I’ve also found that regular practice also improves your posture.  You’ll notice you’re sitting and standing a little straighter. 

Muscle Strength

Do you build muscle strength in yoga? Absolutely! Take any power or vinyasa class, and you will build muscle strength.  You use your body weight and hold poses that require balance and strength. An added benefit of improving balance. Soon enough, you’ll have those yoga-toned arms, core, and legs.  This isn’t bulking up per see, but you will be toned and strong.

Stress Reducer

Pranayama, Ujjayi breath, and other breathing techniques help to release stress and focus on your breath, allowing you to release stress.  If you don’t feel the stress melt away after doing yoga then you’re doing something wrong.  

Lower Anxiety

Yoga helps to quiet the mind and focus on breathing and being present.  You’ll find that you are able to breathe more deeply and feel less anxious during those moments when anxiety would normally arise. 

Lower Blood Pressure

Yoga positively impacts cardiovascular health by improving circulation and physical activity.  It has been studied to lower blood pressure, blood sugar, and lipids. Of course, you’ll still have to make dietary changes to lower lipids; read more about lowering triglycerides fast.

Improve Sleep

There are different sequences you can do specifically to help you sleep. The deep breathing you’re doing during yoga helps to calm the nervous system, which allows you to relax.  Stretching your body allows the stress you may be carrying for the day to melt away, allowing you to able to settle in and fall asleep. You’ll sleep deeper and be more rested when you wake. I also recommend grounding for a more restful and deep sleep. 

Improved Eating Habits

You’ll become more in tune with your body and mind and slowly become more mindful of what you’re eating and putting into your body.  It also makes moving or flowing through asanas easier when you’re not feeling weighed down by bad and heavy foods. A good detox can jump-start your improved eating habits.

Relieve Back Pain/Neck Pain

I can personally vouch for relieving lower back pain.  Having suffered from this for years, I have found the only relief I get is from practicing regularly.  Stretching and building lower back muscles build strength and are the only thing that works for me. I’d rather not have to take ibuprofen every day, and I don’t when I’m doing yoga.  

If I stop for a length of time, then I will slowly start getting back pain, so back to the mat I go. Honestly, I feel better when I’m consistently doing yoga.  Like anyone else, I’ll stop for whatever reason or lack of time but then notice the difference immediately. 

A side note: I saw a PT (physical therapist) for my lower back pain years ago.  Know what they had me do?? The exercises they had me do were almost all yoga poses like plank, utkatasana,  cat/cow, and other similar poses or stretches. Once I learned this little bit of info, all I did was stick to doing yoga for relief and because I enjoy it. 

TYPES OF YOGA

Ashtanga

This style follows a specific sequence of asanas in the same order every time.  If you like routing, this is for you. This is a vigorous style similar to Vinyasa. 

Hatha

It is a general term for most types of yoga. It includes Ashtanga, Iyengar, Power and Vinyasa. 

Hot Yoga / Bikram

Hot yoga is just that, HOT! You will sweat, to say the very least.  Sequences are not in a certain order, as is familiar with Bikram.  Don’t let that fool you, as you will sweat both types of classes. 

Kundalini

Meditation, chanting, and breath of fire are found in Kundalini classes.  Kundalini focuses on breathing techniques and the chakras. I’ve found this takes some getting used to and practice from my experience.  I’m still working on it. 

Restorative

Slow down with this type of yoga.  Use props and stay longer in poses to stretch and restore your body.  If you think you don’t want to do restorative or it’s for people who can’t do vinyasa, think again.  I thought the same thing until I tried it last year for the first time. And wow, it was amazing. If you like doing power, hot, or more rigorous yoga, I recommend incorporating restorative yoga into your weekly routine. It will help you gain more flexibility and restore just as it says.  It feels great, and once you try it, you’ll do it again.

Vinyasa

By far my personal favorite.  A faster-paced yoga style that flows through poses and focuses on the breath.  You are sure to get a “workout” and sweat with this yoga. Baptiste Yoga, which I mentioned above is this type of yoga style. If you’re looking for a challenge and want to get your heart rate up, try this yoga style.

Yin

Yoga targets the fascia or connective tissues of the body, joints, and bones. You hold restful postures longer (3-5 minutes), allowing deeper work on your ligaments, tissues, and joints. For a more restful, deeper, and calming class, this is for you.  You’ll improve joint mobility and flexibility too. 

Yoga Props

At any point, you can use props to deepen your practice and assist you in different poses.

At first, you may think I don’t need those (thinking it’s a crutch of some kind) but believe me, it will help build your yoga practice.  I was skeptical at first but when I tried it along with restorative yoga it gave me greater flexibility in poses. Blocks and straps will allow you to become more flexible over time, and you’ll look like your instructor, performing all asanas with such ease and grace in no time. 

Blocks

Straps

Bolsters

Yoga Is the Ultimate Self-Care Program

It allows you to reconnect with yourself, your body, mind, and soul.  On top of that, you get all the added health benefits too. It’s a win-win.  Plus, you have meditation and reflection built into the practice. You can’t beat it.  

For beginners, try a beginner class to learn the postures before a more challenging class. It’s not necessary, but it gives you a little knowledge beforehand. Then try different styles to find what speaks to you. Then build your practice from there.

I wish you peace and guidance on your yoga journey.  Take care and be well.

Namaste.