Not so obvious Reasons why you should do yoga
Most people know yoga to be a type of exercise class or a thing you do to stretch your muscles after you exercise. Some people think it’s a flexibility challenge or that it’s something only very agile people can do. I’m here to tell you that is wrong, in fact, that is the complete opposite to what yoga ACTUALLY is.
Whilst yoga does include asanas (which are the physical poses you will be familiar with), that is only a fraction of what yoga is. Other practices such as pranayama (breath work), meditation, self reflection, yoga nidra, spiritual understanding, conscious eating, compassion and other lifestyle choices are actually what complete the practice of yoga.
As easy as it is for me to tell you to practice yoga for the benefits of stretching your muscles and conditioning your body, that would only be the tip of the iceberg…
So here are 10 other reasons you should practice yoga to live a more fulfilled life:
DISCLAIMER - I’m not a medical professional nor should you take any of this as medical advice.
1) It can make you kinder to others
Yoga includes changing our mindset, so if we are learning to be more in control of our emotions, more understanding and empathetic to ourselves day to day, this in turn will make us kinder to others. Yoga opens up this new belief that we are all connected in some divine way, and to truly practice yoga, one must practice Ahimsa - meaning no harm to others. So if you feel guilty for snapping at your loved ones, being ungrateful to your co workers or maybe you feel you don’t show up enough as a good friend, trying to practice yoga can help you become a more genuine person.
2) Yoga can prevent serious injuries
Yoga helps us to tune into our bodies, figure out where our aches and pains are and what areas of the body need more care. By becoming more aware of our body and the way it FEELS, we can learn how to heal it. For example, if you experience stiffness in your hips, practicing hip opening asanas may in time reduce your risk of developing arthritis or prevent you from needed major surgery in years to come. You will notice that many disciplined yogis never suffer with joint pain or muscle aches, because over time they have learnt how to help nourish their vessel instead of harm it.
3) Yoga makes you sleep better
Yoga can boost melatonin levels, which is the hormone needed to relax the body and send it to sleep. Practicing gentle yoga before bed or even experimenting with yoga nidra (yogic sleep), can drastically improve your sleep. Yoga incorporates mindfulness, which helps the body switch from flight or fight mode to rest and digest mode - the perfect state for a good night’s sleep.
4) Yoga can help with stomach issues
If you suffer with IBS, constipation, severe cramping, trapped wind or any other digestive issues, yoga can help soothe the digestive organs and aid your systems for a better more functioning body. Certain poses actually stimulate the digestive organs, they can help to boost circulation and get things moving (if you know what I mean..).
5) Yoga cAN Prevent migraines
Majority of migraines come from tension built up in the head, neck and shoulder muscles. So if we practice gently stretching our muscles and encouraging them to relax, we are less likely to have that excess tension which sometimes causes those painful migraines.
6) yoga boosts confidence
Practicing yoga includes practicing self love, and when we learn to love ourselves we instantly feel more confident in our own skin. On a physical level, yoga can better our posture, making us stand tall and confident. On a deeper, more spiritual level, yoga can teach us who we really are, and when we learn to accept that complex individual, we can be more confident in our day to day lives.
7) Yoga makes you aware of your impact on the world
Part of practicing yoga is understanding who you are, so when you understand what sort of energy you put out into the world, you can be more conscious when making decisions day to day. Yoga abolishes ignorance, it gives you heightened awareness of your own actions. If you want to make more ethical and logical decisions, practice more yoga!
8) Yoga makes you grateful
Off the back of number 7, yoga brings you consciousness which in turn makes you see your world in a more positive light. You will start to appreciate the small things around you and the things you usually take for granted. When we are more grateful for what we have, we make room for more, so by being thankful for our bodies and our existence, our life will become a more fulfilled one.
9) Yoga connects you with new friends
Have you ever attended a yoga class and felt the ENERGY in the room? It can be magical… Yoga is often practiced in a community space, which not only takes away the pressure for first timers, but it makes the whole thing more fun. Friends you meet at yoga are so wholesome, there is already something that you share in common, the want to live a more fulfilled life. So if you are looking to expand your social circle and meet more likeminded individuals - try yoga!
10) Yoga helps to reverse aging
I don’t mean literally speaking, but yoga encourages us to be more mindful in our movement, to slow down and savour our eating, our breath, our every move. Incorporating breath work, meditation, asanas or all three can help to positively slow down your life. Yoga encourages you to be present, which most of us struggle to do in our chaotic, rushed and busy lives. So if you feel like time is slipping through your fingers - try yoga!
