Fit and Healthy with Yoga

More and more people are doing it, it is becoming a trend, but why try yoga after all and can you stay Fit and Healthy with Yoga?

You might think that it is odd or difficult, you might not know as much about it as you know about fitness, but by the end of this article I assure you that you’ll want to give it a try. Keeping a beautiful fit body is something we all want, but if you are willing to do something about it, you should know which is the smartest way to go. If you want great results, just lifting weights is not going to get you there. You have to pay attention to what you eat, keep a healthy mind and be aware of the way your body responds to your actions.

There is where yoga might come in handy. Yoga is a mind-body practice that typically combines physical postures and breathing techniques. Everyone can practice it: women, man, children or adults. There is also a style for everyone, depending on your fitness level and what types of moves you like.

Many styles are available, ranging from slow and gentle to athletic and vigorous. So, here are the benefits that yoga could bring us if we would include it in our daily workouts:

Flexibility

You’ve seen some yoga poses that look really difficult and you think you have to be made of gum? You couldn’t be more wrong. While it’s true that during your first class, you probably won’t be able to touch your toes, with time your flexibility will improve and your awareness too.

Yoga is not just bending and stretching, you have to really feel every move you make, every muscle you stretch, you need to be aware of the pressure you feel when stretching too much a muscle and learning how to let it go. With time, you will be able to move much more easily and control your body as you like.

Reduce stress

Consistent yoga practice improves depression and leads to a significant increase in serotonin levels, the hormone that makes you happy. It’s so strange how just deep breathing can calm you down and clear your mind.

With yoga you will not only be calmer, but you will also better understand your body and learn how your mind plays such an important part in the way you are feeling.

Strength

Some poses force your muscles to lift and hold your body weight and that counts as resistance training. Most of the poses look simple until you get down at the mat and try doing them.

You need to know how to use your muscles in a smart way, to focus and keep a correct posture all the time. More, flexibility and strength can’t work one without the other. So, your flexibility will help build strength and the other way around.

Weight control

A regular practice gets you moving and burns calories, and the spiritual and emotional dimensions of your practice may encourage you to address any eating and weight problems on a deeper level.

Yoga may also inspire you to become a more conscious eater. Anyway, by being much more aware of your body, you will immediately feel if a particular ingredient is doing you harm and you will be able to create a diet that is bases just on you and your lifestyle. Practically, yoga teaches you that you are the only one that knows what’s best for you.