4 Reasons to Try Yoga Today
By Genevieve Cunningham
Yoga is an interesting exercise. It's an ancient practice with a new age feel. It’s intense, but it’s also soothing. It’s an exercise of contradictions! But even with the slightly conflicting vibe of yoga, there's absolutely no doubt that you should give it a try. Research has shown over and over again just how good this practice is for your body, mind, and life. If you haven’t joined a studio yet, take a look at these four great reasons to give yoga a try today.
It Stretches Your Body
Yoga is great for stretching out the muscles. Many feel tight at the beginning of a session, but by the end, their depth of each move has grown exponentially. Over time, yoga can improve flexibility, lengthen the muscles, and leave your body feeling long, lean, and loose day in and day out.
It Teaches Discipline
Yoga is hard. Anyone who tells you differently is not telling the truth. But why is yoga difficult? It’s because it requires serious self-discipline. You’ll have to hold the body in a particular stance for a particular length of time. This can be tough on the mind, as it will inevitably wander. And of course, it’s also a challenge for the body. But through regular practice, you’ll learn to stick with it. You’ll learn discipline that can overlap into other areas of life. You might be surprised at your patience and ability to stay on task after participating in yoga.
It Teaches Deep Breathing
One of the most important aspects of yoga is the breathing. Yoga teaches deep breathing that transitions with each move. This breathing helps to fuel the muscles, but it also helps bring about some peace and calm. This deep breathing, once learned, can be used in many instances in life. Yogis use the deep breathing in everyday situations to keep themselves healthy and calm every day.
It Feels Good
Yoga feels really good, but here’s the catch: It might not feel good in the beginning. At first, you might feel awkward and sore and frustrated. But give it time. As you practice more and become accustomed to the moves, you’ll likely begin to feel really good after a session. This often carries over into everyday life, and your body begins to feel strong and balanced all of the time.
Yoga is a great way to work out and stay fit. You have to be patient with it, but the benefits are worth the time and effort. Find a class at a local studio or gym and give it a try. With some time, patience, and practice, you may find that yoga is just what you’ve been missing in life.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in West Covina, Calif.