Yoga Is for Everyone!
By Donna Stark
You drive past a studio every day on the way to work and some of your friends have been trying to get you to join their class. It's fair to say that your curiosity has been piqued, but you still aren't sure you want to take that jump. After all, flexibility is not your strong suit, and the only pretzels you like are the ones you eat, not the ones that your friends' bodies contort into. But dare I say that maybe you have the wrong idea about this type of activity? Maybe, it's more than just posing in front of a mirror for an hour? And maybe, just maybe, I can convince you to join your friends during their yoga class.
Lack of Flexibility? That's OK!
Your friends have told you time and time again how much they love their yoga class, but there's a reason they love it, isn't there? It's easy for them to like it so much because they are as flexible as a competitive gymnast and prima ballerina put together. And you? Well, you call it a lucky day if you can bend over and tie your shoes without pain. But guess what? You aren't the only one that is letting an inflexible body get in the way of some amazing health benefits. And you also aren't the only one that thinks you need to be extremely flexible to join a yoga class.
Yoga for Beginners
Since there are so many different levels of yoga, it is possible for anyone, at any age, to start. It doesn't matter if you are a professional couch potato or a professional athlete, yoga can still bring so many positive factors to your life. So throw on some comfortable clothes and grab a mat! You are in for a treat!
Health Benefits of Yoga
As your friends will attest, yoga has an amazing reputation for aligning the body and providing plenty of health benefits. Check out some of the benefits that could very easily come your way once you start practicing this type of self-care.
- Alleviates pain
- Lowers blood pressure
- Improves sleep and increases energy
- Increases flexibility, balance, and coordination
- Increases muscle strength and tone
- Improves respiratory, cardiovascular, and circulatory health
- Supports weight loss
- Improves athletic performance
- Improves posture
- Promotes relaxation and reduces stress
- Reduces the risk of injuries
Give it a Try
By incorporating breathing exercises, meditation, stretches, and poses, yoga can help a person improve both their physical and mental well-being. So why not go ahead and give it a try? Your friends will love it, your body will thank you, and I promise you won't come close to turning into a pretzel!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Lakewood, Colo.