Yoga – Medicine for the body and the soul

The Body

One of the most obvious benefits of yoga is the fact that it improves flexibility and is usually the prime factor that convinces people into trying it. It also builds muscle strength, which is beneficial not only aesthetically because strong muscles protect us from different conditions such as back pain. While we’re on the topic of back pain, yoga is great at perfecting your posture. A poor posture always leads to back and neck problems due to the spine not being aligned properly.

As you move and stretch your body, yoga can help your body fight infections and destroy cancerous cells. Do you struggle with intense headaches? Yoga can also help in relieving migraines by reducing their frequency.

As it reduces stress, it also improves memory. We are then able to remember things easier and have more organised thoughts in general. Your brain’s ability to process information will also be enhanced.

The Soul

Yoga is beneficial in lowering your risk of heart attacks as it helps with the blood flow. It also lowers symptoms of depression in individuals who are affected by this condition. Talking about depression, some studies say that the consistent practice of yoga led to an increase in serotonin levels, the so-called hormone of happiness.

It also relieves anxiety as you learn how to breathe properly and thus it helps you free your mind from your daily duties and focus on the present.

If you have sleeping problems, yoga will also help you in this matter as it increases the secretion of melatonin, a hormone produced by the pineal gland which regulates sleep. Better sleep also means feeling less stressed.

Lastly, yoga is wonderful if you need a self-esteem boost as you start experiencing feelings of gratitude and forgiveness.