The Many Benefits of Yoga

There are many benefits of yoga, some are scientifically proven, some are anecdotal and others should be taken with a pinch of salt. It’s important that as a participant that you feel confident about what is actually achievable and what yoga can’t do, I once had a teacher who claimed that they could cure my EDS (Elhers Danlos Syndrome) a genetic disorder and I can confirm it was the first and last time I went to that class.

• Increasing, strength, flexibility and balance
• All of the above will have a positive effect on your posture 
• Helps coordination 
• Allows you to challenge what you think you’re capable of 
• Improves body awareness 
• Improves breath awareness 
• A way of releasing tension and relaxing
• Taking time for yourself is an important part of self care
• Improving bone density 
• Improving immunity 
• Boost your mood
• There is some evidence that a regular practice can help with high blood pressure

 
Some benefits will take longer to notice than others, whilst there are also others that we cannot see. But we also have to remember that these benefits are not exclusive to yoga alone and can be gained in other physical practices. 
 
As you can see many of the benefits are linked, when you improve your strength flexibility and balance, you will also see an improvement in your posture, which could help to improve certain conditions but will not cure them as if you stop practicing and go back to your previous way of life there is a very high chance that that particular issue will return. 
 
Another thing to be mindful of is that when you do find relief in your yoga practice that you don’t push yourself too much, which is where improved body awareness plays it’s part in keeping us safe from ourselves. And our practice doesn’t have to be hours long 7 days a week for us to begin to feel the benefits in fact they have found that it’s better to do shorter classes more frequently, with at least 1 rest day per week. According to the NHS website yoga counts as a strengthening exercise, and that 2 sessions a week would meet their recommendation for strengthening activities.
 
Don’t forget that if you do have a medical condition to speak to your teacher before class to make sure that class is suitable for you so you can enjoy your class and the benefits participating can bring.