Benefits of yoga

Yoga provides many benefits for men and women of all ages, from children to seniors.Many yoga poses can be modified for people of all different levels of fitness and flexibility, even for people with temporary or chronic physical problems. The primary goal of yoga is to unite the mind, body and spirit. This union can improve your overall mental and physical well-being.
MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL BENEFITS
Through the practice of yoga, you may find that you develop a more positive outlook on life. Practicingyoga encourages personal reflection and introspection, helping you to release any anxiety, hostility or depression you may be feeling. The peace and relaxation that yoga offers improves your mood,which in turn improves your overall well-being.
Stress Relief
One of the most recognized benefits of yoga is stress reduction. The practice of yoga poses, meditation and breathing exercises are all clinically proven methodsof relieving stress. Practicing yoga can help relieve stress by clearing your mind and bringing your attention to the present moment. Relieving stress can have a positive effect on your health, especially since medical practitioners consider stress to be the cause of many illnesses.
Improved Mental FunctionsYoga also serves as an effective tool to help improve your mental functioning. For example, you can enhance your memory and ability to concentrate through the practice of yoga. Many yoga poses can also improve your hand-eye coordination, reaction time, dexterity and fine motor skills.
Improved Self-ConfidenceYou can build greater self-confidence through the practice of yoga, especially because yoga is non- competitive. Yoga is an individual practice, which allows you to only focus on your own capabilities without comparing yourself to others. You can also improve your posture through the practice of yoga, which allows you to stand, sit and walk with confidence. Yoga can also make you feel more mentally alert, centered and content.
PHYSICAL BENEFITS
Pain ReductionYoga can provide therapeutic relief from many ailments, such as back pain, arthritis, migraine headaches and menstrual cramps. Many yoga poses can also release tension and soreness in your muscles. Practicing yoga can even help you prevent illness and injury by improving your immune system and teaching you to treat your body well. As a result, yoga can serve as preventative therapy to help you not only improve, but also maintain your health.
Improved BreathingThe practice of yoga improves your breathing by heightening your awareness of your breath and increasing your lung capacity. By focusing on deep breathing in your yoga practice, you can help to release tension from your body and make your body more alkaline and less acidic. Too much acidity in your body can be harmful for your bones and tissues, and can also cause arthritis, fatigue, headaches and depression.
Improved Strength and Flexibility
One of the most noticeable effects of yoga is that it can make your body strong and flexible, while improving the range of motion in your joints. The practice of yoga can also improve your balance, tone your muscles and increase your stamina. Some yoga poses can also help you build strong bones, which helps to prevent osteoporosis.
Additional BenefitsYoga also provides a whole host of other health benefits. Through the practice of yoga, you can regulate your metabolism, which can help you lose weight. Yoga also helps to balance your hormonal system, which is especially useful for menopausal and pre-menopausal women. In addition, the movement in some yoga poses massages the internal organs of the body, which improves certain bodily functions, such as digestion and elimination.