Yoga is an ancient practice that originated in India and has been around for over 5,000 years. It’s a form of exercise that not only helps you stay physically healthy but improves your mental health as well.
The benefits of yoga are vast and far-reaching. Yoga is known for relieving stress, pain, and anxiety. It can help improve flexibility, stamina, and even muscle tone. Yoga helps to create balance within your body as well as your mind.
There are six main types of yoga:
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Hatha Yoga:
This form of yoga is based heavily on breathing techniques and meditation. Hatha Yoga classes tend to be fairly slow-moving, with an emphasis placed on correct alignment.
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Iyengar Yoga:
This type of yoga is named after its founder B.K.S Iyengar. It is a very precise and technical form of yoga that emphasizes using props to achieve correct alignment in poses.
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Ashtanga Yoga:
Ashtanga Yoga is a fast-paced, Vinyasa-style yoga that links poses together using breathwork. It is an intense form of yoga that can be difficult for beginners, but with regular practice.
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Jivamukti Yoga:
This type of yoga is very much about the spiritual journey, emphasizing self-awareness and compassion.
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Bikram/Hot Yoga:
This type of yoga is practiced in a room heated to 40 degrees centigrade or more. This form of yoga focuses heavily on strength and flexibility.
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Vinyasa Yoga:
This type of yoga is what you’ll typically see in fitness studios; it consists of flowing postures linked together with breathwork.
5 Key Benefits of Yoga:
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Improved Flexibility and Range of Motion
One of the main benefits of yoga is improved flexibility and range of motion. This is because yoga involves many different stretches as well as has a flowing nature between poses which enhances our body’s mobility.
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Increased Strength and Endurance
Another benefit of yoga is that it can help to increase strength and endurance. This is because yoga involves holding poses for extended periods, which can help to build muscle strength and stamina.
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Better Breathing and Circulation
Most yoga practices emphasize the importance of breathing within the exercises, which can help to increase the flow of oxygen throughout the body. The coordination of inhaling and exhaling in a given pose of movement also increases the efficiency of each breath cycle.
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Improved Mental Clarity
Yoga has meditative qualities which can help to clear the mind and promote greater focus and concentration. It allows us to calm the mind and bring attention to the present moment.
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Decreased Stress Levels
One of the most well-known benefits of yoga is that it can help to decrease stress levels. There are many factors that contribute to this. Such as the practice of breath work, it’s meditative focus, as well as the increased endorphins from the exercise.
There are many benefits to be gained from practicing yoga regularly, physical, mental, and even spiritual. Another benefit to committing to a yoga practice doesn’t come from the yoga itself, but it’s the commitment to your own self care and reminder that your well being is important. Get started with a yoga practice on your own with my guidance in my ebook “Everyone Can Do Yoga”– 30 Days of Inspiration and Instruction on an Ancient Practice that Works Wonders in Our Modern World.
References:
https://osteopathic.org/what-is-osteopathic-medicine/benefits-of-yoga/
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/9-benefits-of-yoga
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/13-benefits-of-yoga
https://www.livescience.com/7-types-of-yoga\
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/the-11-major-types-of-yoga-explained-simply