Benefits
Yoga will make you better at whatever you set your heart at achieving; whether that is becoming better at a sport, giving yourself more time to relax, becoming more focused or just accepting who you are. We know that sounds like a grand statement but it really is true. Here are some of the measurable benefits you can achieve through yoga practise:
Flexibility
You may never be able to touch your toes but practising yoga will increase your flexibility and range of motion. It will also relieve muscle tension. Stretching can help your body process lactate acid after a workout and can improve muscle oxygenation. On a cellular level, it will also elongate muscle fibres allowing greater contraction during sporting activities.
Balance
Where balance is concerned, you ‘use it or lose it’. Once we pass the age of 40 our ability to balance rapidly decreases because we no longer use it in everyday life. This can be a danger as we enter old age. Yoga will maintain a healthy ability to balance and keep light on your feet!
Strength
Don’t be fooled into thinking yoga is just about stretching! It is about the perfect balance between strength and flexibility – the yin and yang. Through static poses and/or dynamic flowing movements, the practitioner builds whole body strength – not least core strength which is essential to maintaining a healthy body.
Mental Focus/Concentration
Yoga (especially hot yoga!) teaches you to be in an intense situation and to manage the situation through coping strategies and breath control. This is valuable in any aspect of life where you are required to work or deliver under pressure.
Injury Recovery/Prevention
Injuries are often caused through overuse, e.g. through repetitive strain either due to sport or in the workplace. A well-rounded yoga practise can help to counter-balance these repetitive movements and address imbalance. Tight muscles are also more prone to acute injury through muscles tears and strains. Stretching can reduce the chance of injury as well as helping the body feel much better!
Stress Relief
Who doesn’t want to slow down and get some stress relief? Yoga teaches you how to relax and gain some perspective on the world around you.
Breathing
Yoga teaches awareness of the breath as well as how to deepen and control breathing at times of anxiety and stress. This can reduce performance anxiety and improve concentration.
