Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word yuji , which means union . Its practice seeks to improve strength, breathing, and flexibility. Those who practice yoga report that it has benefits such as reducing stress, improving sleep quality, reducing alcohol and cigarette consumption, and inspiring them to eat healthier. It also improves balance and promotes a sense of well-being and disposition. It can be practiced by men, women, children, and the elderly.
Not all the benefits you hear may be backed by science yet. However, according to some evidence, Yoga exercises bring many benefits for both physical and mental health . Discover the benefits of yoga according to experts.
1. Reduces stress and anxiety
The meditation practiced in yoga helps a person focus on the present, clearing the mind of past or future problems. This provides emotional balance, a sense of inner peace, well-being, and mental equilibrium for everyday situations.
It also helps treat depression, thanks to the feeling of tranquility and calm, increased self-confidence, optimism, concentration, decreased irritability, and improved interpersonal relationships.
2. Promotes physical conditioning
The exercises, techniques, and postures of this activity can improve endurance and muscle strengthening, to varying degrees, depending on the style and modality of yoga practiced.
This helps improve the body's performance for physical activities and daily tasks, increases lean mass, and leaves the body in shape, with greater definition and toned muscles.
3. Relieves body aches
Through the practice of yoga, individuals gain greater body awareness, which means a greater awareness of their own posture, how they walk, how they sit, and how they can identify when muscle tension begins to develop. This makes it possible to correct disorders, such as contractures, so that any alterations can be resolved and the muscular structure can relax, without causing damage to the spine and joints.
4. Controls blood pressure and heart rate
Yoga improves heart and lung function by regulating the nervous system and improving blood circulation, heart rate, and blood pressure. Yoga also balances the endocrine system and controls levels of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.
Breathing capacity also improves, thanks to lung expansion and breath control exercises. In this way, yoga improves physical conditioning, but in a different way than conventional physical exercises such as weight training or sports.
5. Improves sleep
In addition to producing tranquility and relaxation, facilitating a good night's sleep, yoga increases the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep cycle, leaving it with greater quality and depth.
Because the body relaxes more, yoga also makes for a better night's sleep, providing more energy and readiness for the next day.
6. Facilitates weight loss
One of the main benefits of practicing yoga is weight loss, thanks to the control of anxiety and cravings, and the reduction of calories consumed throughout the day.
The exercises and positions performed also help with fat loss, however, this varies according to the styles practiced.
Remember that prevention is better than cure
