The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit word for yoke, “yuji.” It is an activity that has been practised since ancient times and is used as a way to focus the mind and body.
This exercise typically utilizes meditation, poses, and breathing exercises that, when combined together promotes relaxation of the body and mind, while noticeably reducing stress!
Regularly practising is believed by many to offer the body and mind many potential benefits. Some of these are backed by facts, while others, not so much.
It is hard to argue against adding this activity to your daily routine, either way. To highlight a few great reasons women should do it every day, we’ve brought together 7 yoga benefits for your body and mind:
1. Reduces feelings of stress
One great reason to make this practice a part of your daily routine is due to its amazing stress reduction abilities! Quite a few studies have been done that have concluded it has the ability to significantly reduce the hormone primarily responsible for stress, cortisol!
2. Reduces symptoms of anxiety
If you are a particularly anxious person, it may be just the thing you need to get your feelings under wraps! Many practitioners of this great exercise report significant reductions in their anxiety symptoms as a result of starting up the habit!
3. Improve your quality of life
No matter how happy and great your life already is, further improving the quality of your life is always a great objective to set your mind to! If you’re seeking out improvements to the quality of your life then consider adopting this regular practice!
4. Reduces symptoms of depression
If you find yourself feeling down in the dumps more often than not, consider adopting this daily practice! Plenty of research has been done which has shown that it can have a anti-depressant effect and may reduce symptoms of depression in many!
Some studies show that it may have an anti-depressant effect and could help decrease symptoms of depression.
5. Reduces chronic pain
If you suffer from chronic pain, this may be just what you need to start feeling better! With millions of people suffering from chronic pain, the need for a natural, holistic, method of relief is a greatly needed!
Lots of research is being done on this topic, and this practice is showing signs of being a great way of accomplishing this task
6. Reduces inflammation
Aside from some of the mental benefits of this amazing practice, it has the possibility to lower your body’s inflammation! If you’re unfamiliar with inflammation, it is a normal function of your body’s immune system. Too much inflammation though, and you are at risk of developing many inflammatory diseases including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease!
During one study, people who regularly practised this were compared to those who didn’t. At the study’s conclusion, it was found that those who regularly practised had much lower levels of inflammation than those that didn’t!
7. Improves the health of your heart
Another great reason to adopt this daily habit is that it has been found to be beneficial to the health of your heart! Heart health is vitally important. A healthy functioning heart ensures that your body is being adequately supplied the essential nutrients it needs!
One study looked at regular practitioners over the age of 40 who had stuck with the habit for 5 years or more. It was observed that members of this group of individuals had noticeably lower heart rates and blood pressure!
