18 Awesome Reasons To Do Yoga!

Are you wanting to increase your health, happiness, and overall fitness level?  Tired of feeling tired?  Want to feel more connected with your body, mind and spirit?

The practice of Yoga is an ancient and time honoured practice that is now enjoying a new popularity due to its numerous and documented health and wellness benefits. 

And the great news is that yoga is for everybody ....  not just for people who can twist themselves into a pretzel!  That can mean that no matter what your fitness level is, where you are right NOW is the exact perfect place to start!!!  

If you're new to yoga, you might want to start with a beginners yoga class, or even chair yoga if you have mobility issues.  Or, if you're more of a type A personality, there are more intense styles to suit your taste as well.  And of course, many of us are somewhere in the middle.  Today there are so many styles to choose from.  (After all, yoga has been evolving for 5,000 years!)  

Did you know that even specific breathing practices, known as  pranayama ("extension of life-force/breath"), is just one component of yoga that has dynamic and medically documented health benefits? 

Here are just some of the improvements and great benefits you will see from practicing yoga:

• increased strength
• increased flexibility
• improved posture
• improved joint health
• increased spinal health   (One of my faves!  Yoga creates the movement needed for spine health ie: yoga supports the shock absorbers between the vertebrae which, if lacking proper movement, can herniate and compress nerves.  Movement is the only way through which vertebrae receives  nutrients!  A well-balanced yoga practice which includes back-bends, forward bends and twists, will help you keep your spine supple.)
• bone strength/health
• lymph circulation
• supports proper digestion
• heart health and lowers blood pressure
• reduces inflammation
• stress reduction
• boosts serotonin /mood
• burns fat (and yes, in more ways than just from moving and burning calories!)
• stabilizes blood sugar cholesterol cortisol
• calms central nervous system
• clearer skin and that "yoga glow"
• an improved sense of spiritual connectedness to yourself, others, and the universe
• and another fave .... yoga provides a natural and healthy buzz!!!!!

 
If you still are not convinced that yoga might just be the ticket you're looking for to help improve your life, think of the amazing and relaxed like-minded people you'll meet at  yoga class.     

Hope to see you soon!
Namaste
Irene
"The Light in me greets and honours the Light in you."

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