Get your flow on in this yoga practice that synchronizes movement and breath. It’s perfect for HIIT lovers and athletes who want to build strength, endurance and flexibility.
Shallow breathing, poor posture and tense muscles can all lead to anxiety. Yoga’s mindfulness practices help to decrease anxiety by promoting a healthy sense of acceptance of moment-to-moment experiences.
Improved Flexibility
Yoga is a great workout for improving your flexibility. If you are new to yoga, consider starting with a Gentle class. These classes are more relaxed and allow for longer holds of poses to deepen the stretch. If you have more flexibility, you can challenge yourself with a Vinyasa class.
The improved flexibility from yoga also leads to better posture and less back pain. Whether you have tight hips, hamstrings, calves, or shoulders, yoga will help loosen those muscles and help you feel more relaxed.
Flexibility is important to every day life. Turning your head to look out the passenger side window, bending over to put on socks or tie shoes, or reaching for a jar on top of the cabinet all require flexibility. Improving your flexibility with yoga is good for your daily routine and will reduce your risk of injury in your day-to-day activities. Better flexibility also means less muscle tension, which is a big help in relieving stress.
Increased Strength
Many people assume yoga is a gentle workout, but it requires physical strength to move the body in different ways and to hold poses for extended periods of time. Several studies have shown that doing yoga regularly increases muscle strength and endurance, as well as heart-lung fitness. It also increases the number of red blood cells and decreases the level of clot-promoting proteins in the blood.
Yoga increases your awareness of the feeling and movements in your own body, which can help you spot physical problems and injuries early. It also helps prevent falls and injuries by promoting better balance.
If you want to focus on building strength, try power yoga. For a challenging cardio workout, check out Crunch’s Fierce, which combines yoga with athletic movement and special balance challenges in a heated studio. Or try yin, which is a slower-paced form of yoga that emphasizes the cultivation of stillness and mindfulness. In addition to strengthening muscles, yin yoga improves joint flexibility and encourages deep breathing.
Reduced Stress
Yoga’s emphasis on quiet movements, precise breathing and focusing the mind helps to reduce stress. Many people start taking classes to improve their flexibility and end up staying for the relaxation that yoga brings to their lives.
A regular practice of yoga can help to relieve tension and anxiety, and studies show that it can help with depression. The slow, deep breathing during class can also lower blood pressure and decrease the levels of cortisol in the body.
If you’re new to yoga, a Gentle or Slow Flow class may be the best place to start. These classes move at a relaxed pace and explore seated postures, standing poses and floor stretches that are appropriate for all skill levels. You’ll build strength and flexibility, without breaking a sweat. These classes are great for beginners, those with injuries or health concerns and anyone looking to find some peace and tranquility. It’s important to communicate with your instructor before class to ensure that you can perform the poses safely, especially if you have any injuries or health issues.
Better Sleep
Getting a good night’s sleep is important for your physical and mental health. While everyone has the occasional bad sleep, if you struggle to get restful slumber on a regular basis, you can suffer from fatigue and lack of energy throughout the day.
Yoga can help you to relax and fall asleep at night by combining physical postures with breathing exercises and meditation. It can also promote a sense of calm and relaxation by easing stress that may be preventing you from sleeping soundly.
In fact, studies have shown that practicing yoga can improve your sleep quality. For example, one study published in the journal Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine found that adults over 60 who participated in twice-weekly yoga classes for 12 weeks experienced a significant reduction in insomnia symptoms. Other studies have shown similar benefits in younger people, those with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, and those approaching menopause.