The Top 10 Benefits of Yoga That You May Not Have Known

1. The Top 10 Benefits of Yoga That You May Not Have Known We all know practicing yoga helps improve flexibility, balance, and mindfulness. But there are hundreds of benefits of this ancient practice. From relieving migraines to lowering blood pressure yoga has many positive benefits. Here are the top 10 benefits of yoga that you might not have known. It’s common knowledge that yoga can help tone muscles, increase flexibility, and promote mind-body awareness. But did you know, that yoga also helps perfect your posture, boost immunity and prevent cartilage and joint breakdown. These are just a few of the benefits that yoga provides. Practicing yoga regularly has a plethora of benefits and we set out to find the least known ways yoga can positively affect our health and overall life. Below we list the top 10 benefits of yoga that you might not have known. 1.Improves Sleep Quality– Studies have shown that yoga increases the secretion of melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating sleep. Yoga gives the nervous system a chance to get some much needed downtime and this can produce a deeper sleep. 2.Optimizes Lung Performance– Most yoga practices incorporate a breathing technique called Pranayama, also known as yogic breathing. It focuses on controlling the breath through various breathing exercises. Pranayama can significantly increase the maximum amount of air that can be expelled from the lungs. Studies have shown that practicing yogic breathing improved symptoms and lung function in those with mild asthma. 3.Anxiety and Depression - According to a recent post in CBS News, 3.4 percent of Americans suffering from stress, anxiety, and depression. Yoga is a great way to relieve stress which can cause anxiety, depression and many other illnesses. This may be because yoga decreases levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that influences levels of serotonin, the neurotransmitter often associated with depression. 4.Migraine Relief– Migraine headaches affect an estimated 1 out of 7 Americans. Researchers believe that yoga may stimulate the vagus nerve and reduce migraine intensity and frequency.

2. 5.Decrease Risk of Osteoporosis– While practicing yoga, a person is often required to lift their own body weight. This strengthens the bones in arms, which are most vulnerable to osteoporotic fractures. It is also believed that because yoga can lower levels of cortisol it may also help keep calcium in the bones. 6.Increase Blood Flow - Yoga boosts levels of hemoglobin and red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the tissues. It also can help lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart problems and stroke. 7.Boost Immunity– Coming in and out of yoga poses can help increase the drainage of a fluid that contains infection-fighting white blood cells. This fluid travels through the lymphatic system into the bloodstream, helping your body fight off infections and sickness. 8.Improves Focus– Yoga helps us focus on the present and studies have found that practicing yoga regularly can improve coordination, reaction time, memory, and are less makes us less distracted by fleeting thoughts. 9.Prevents Digestive Problems– Stress can wreak havoc on the digestive system, just as it can with any internal system. It is believed that the twisting poses in yoga may be beneficial in helping to facilitate the rapid transport of food and waste products through the bowels. 10.Promotes Healthy Eating Habits– A large component of yoga is mindfulness. But were you aware that this includes mindful eating? Yoga enhances our ability to pay attention to taste, smell and the texture of food, bringing awareness to feelings and sensations experienced while eating. This awareness can help with developing healthy eating habits. Yoga is helpful for us from relieving stress to boosting our brain power. Yoga just not only improves our strength but our well-being, too. Hence to help you do the perfect yoga Blissfully Serene has a wide range of Yoga Accessories Online for your yoga specific needs. Get a great Yoga experience with Blissfully Serene.