Why Practice Yoga

Over the last few years, yoga has become a popular practice among people interested in fitness and wellness. But, how is a workout that focuses solely on stretching and breathing beneficial for your health?

Yoga is an ancient practice intended to bring body and mind together by incorporating exercises, poses and meditation to encourage relaxation. Although there are many physical and mental health benefits associated with yoga, not all of them are scientifically proven.

Here’s a list of a few of those benefits that are actually backed by science.

• Practicing yoga can improve flexibility and balance: research shows that yoga can help optimize general athletic performance through the use of poses and movements that target flexibility.
• It can increase strength: certain yoga poses are designed to build muscle and improve strength.
• It could help reduce levels of stress, anxiety and depression: studies have shown that doing yoga regularly can help reduce the levels of cortisol, the hormone often associated with stress and depression.
• Yoga could help reduce chronic pain: two studies performed in people that suffered from chronic pain related to carpal tunnel syndrome or osteoarthritis in the knees, both showed improvement in mobility as well as a decrease in the pain the participants felt after several weeks of practicing yoga consistently.
• It may improve sleep quality: insomnia is often associated with obesity, depression and high blood pressure (which yoga is also believed to have a positive impact on). Studies have shown that people can improve their sleep habits (fall asleep faster, as well as sleep better and longer) by practicing yoga regularly.

If you have never practiced yoga, you could be in for a treat after some research. There are many different types of yoga that target different areas of your body, and have different purposes and rhythms. The key is that you take it easy and always pace yourself, listen to your body and pay attention to what feels good. The goal is not to be able to do a headstand by the end of the first session, but that your body gains mobility and flexibility, as well as all the other benefits with time, practice and patience.

The cool thing about yoga, is that you don’t have to sign up for a class to learn it. If yoga studios intimidate you, or you prefer practicing solo, all you need is a yoga mat and some water. There are plenty of videos and tutorials that you can try for free, as well as apps that will guide you through the practice step by step.

In order to stay healthy, it is also very important to keep a balanced diet, and to make sure we supplement it with all the nutrients our body needs. We recommend taking Rigoton, a complete, natural multivitamin that can help you increase your energy levels and improve your overall mood.

You can call us at 1-800-299-7917 to make a virtual appointment with Doctor Rigoberto Perez Diaz, or visit our website www.salud.bz, we will gladly assist you. Remember to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and do not forget to tune into our daily program SALUD TV.