Yoga for Better Health and Wellness

By Donna Stark

Many of us have heard about it but few have actually tried it. In fact, some people think it is just about the comfy clothes and balanced poses, but it's actually about improving your overall well-being. Yoga is a great way to strengthen your body and your health, but surprisingly, it is also an activity that is often overlooked. Despite the myriad of benefits it provides, many people just don't know exactly how it can benefit them. So let's go ahead and change that. Let's dive into the ways yoga can help change your life for the better. Take a look.

Reduced Stress                                                                          

The stretching and controlled breathing that is practiced during a yoga session can decrease cortisol levels and help reduce both stress and anxiety. Even just a few mini-sessions of yoga sprinkled throughout your busy day can help promote relaxation and balance in the body.

Increased Flexibility

So maybe it is a little bit about the poses. After all, it's the poses that can help increase your range of motion and flexibility. You see, a consistent yoga schedule creates muscle memory, and muscle memory is what helps your body hold the poses for longer periods of time and fall more deeply into the stretches. This, in turn, improves your overall mobility while creating a more relaxed version of you.

Improved Sleep

Sleep deprivation affects every aspect of your day. It affects how you react, how you work, and how you feel, which is why a good night of rest can go a long way. Since yoga helps to reduce both stress and anxiety (two of the main contributors to restless nights), you can finally look forward to the quality of your sleep improving.

Increased Muscle Tone and Strength

If you are looking for an all-around workout look no further! Yoga is your answer. Yoga is a great way to build, tone, and strengthen muscles. Whether your muscles are specifically being focused on, or are hard at work in the "background" maintaining balance, you can count on a full-body workout!

Becoming a Yogi

Yoga is a fantastic way to exercise your mind and body, so why not give it a try? You can join a class at your local gym (most have classes for every level) or you can start a little more privately by following videos at home. It doesn't really matter what you choose, just as long as you are exercising every day. So here's to improved health and fitness ... yogi-style!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Highlands Ranch, Colo.