When life starts to feel like it’s kicking your butt, don’t break down and let it! Instead, try placing your energy into something meditated. Yoga is one of the best forms of meditation, while getting a good sweat in. What a great reason to add yoga to your fitness routine! However, that’s not the only reason!
Yoga is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines that originated in ancient India. Yoga is one of the six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy. If you have not incorporated Yoga into your weekly fitness routine check out these five reasons why, and we promise you will not be let down.
Tones the Body
Yoga is a great workout for any man or woman, and any age. It does not matter what level you are in your Yoga journey because every level will leave you looking toned. Most exercises that leave you looking toned require repetitive motions that put stress on your muscles.
Which includes exercises such as cycling, running, and even high-intensity interval workouts also referred to as HIIT. Yoga helps tone your body because when holding poses, you are in fact holding your own body weight, which many people are not used to doing.
Helps with stress and anxiety
We can get so stressed from day to day activities. Whether it’s from work or our personal lives, the stress can start to eventually cause us to endure health issues. Yoga studies show it to be one of the few exercises that helps reduce a large amount of stress and anxiety from our bodies.
Many people enjoy Yoga because it has a calming effect on brain waves that can prevent insomnia, which is often the result of the mind racing because of stress. With stress on the brain, our bodies are not able to get a full night’s rest, and that can lead to weight gain and other health issues. If you want to try a more natural remedy to ease your anxiety and stress, we highly recommend trying yoga maybe once a week.
Decreases back pain
We never realize how much strain our back goes through on a daily basis. Whether you have a desk job and your posture is always bad or a job that requires heavy lifting all the time. Trying yoga can help with any back pain you may have currently or have had in the past.
Your spine is loaded with special types of nerve endings called, “proprioceptors.” The nerve endings in your back are stimulated by movement that crave moving. When you practice yoga, you get to move those nerve endings. Getting movement in your spine is healthy and will help with any pain that you may have in that area.
Improves Core
Core muscles are just as important as any muscle in your body. There is a major misconception when people think of “core”; usually, the first thought goes to their abdomen muscle, which is partially correct. However, core also relates to your diaphragm, back muscles, and pelvic floor muscles.
All four help to support and stabilize your spine to help you do the day-to-day functions. Yoga focuses on proper breathing techniques that not only helps to engage the core muscles, but also aids in lowering blood pressure and reducing stress. How great is that?!
Increases Flexibility
It’s pretty evident that most people who do yoga appear to be flexible. When practicing yoga, you realize just how tight some muscles are when compared to others in your body. Everyone’s body is different, and because of that, the makeup of their connective tissue requires different attention.
Poor muscle flexibility and joint mobility are the most common cause of musculoskeletal injuries in the body. Stretching is important and when you have tight muscles, your range of motion is limited and you are more prone to injuries. Yoga is a great form a stretching. You can also do a few stretches before you begin your yoga routine.
Related: 7 Reasons to Start Meditating
If you have not taken a yoga class, I highly recommend trying it. Never say never because you might just fall in love with the one workout you never thought you would like. In many cases if you have an injury, it is important to tell the instructor ahead of time so they can alternate form to use to prevent further injury.
If you have tried yoga, what did you think? What tips would you recommend for first time yoga attendees? We would love you to stay connected with us and follow us on IG & Twitter @citygirlsavings. Also, do not forget to like out Facebook page and interact with us!
1 thought on “5 Reasons to Add Yoga to Your Fitness Routine”
I did bikram (hot) yoga 3 times a week for a couple of months. I definitely noticed a difference! Yoga is great in many ways.