Top 5 Ways Yoga Can Improve Your Life

Are you interested in yoga but aren’t sure if it it’s right for you? Wondering the ways you can improve your life with yoga? I’ve been practicing yoga on and off for almost 20 years and consistently for the past 2 years. I’ve noticed a huge improvement in quality of life. Here are the top 5 ways yoga has improved my life and can improve yours too.

Improved Mental Health

Do you feel like everyone around you is very stressed and anxious? Do you find yourself worrying about the future or the past? A yoga practice can help quiet the storm in your mind. Studies have shown consistent yoga practice has helped with improved mental health. Deep breathing and mindful exercises helps you focus on the present. You might not know this but the 1 hour yoga session people go to is just one part of yoga’s 8-Limbed path. The 8 Limbed path is a yogic philosophy. The eight limbs of yoga are yama (abstinences), niyama (observances), asana (yoga postures), pranayama (breath control), pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (enlightenment). Working towards practicing the full 8 limbed path can help improve your life with more than just reduced anxiety.

Increased Muscle Strength

If you are looking to exercise but hate lifting weights, yoga might be your answer. Doing yoga asanas ( poses ) engages your muscles and helps increase muscle strength and flexibility. One of the great parts of yoga is that you technically don’t need any materials, just your body. Asanas like Four-Limbed Staff or plank engages a lot of your muscles. Even a simple seated position or child’s pose works great wonders. Although the asanas might look simple you are putting your body to work and can defientely feel the “burn” the next couple of days.

Better Quality Sleep

Practicing yoga can help you have better quality of sleep. With improved mental health and less stress your able to sleep better. Increased physical activity also helps with sleep. Image after doing an hour yoga session and melting into your pillow for one of the best sleeps ever.

Better Mind-Body Connection

One of my favorite benefits of practicing yoga was the better mind-body connection. The more I practiced yoga the more I began to notice subtle changes in my body. You begin to notice things like perhaps the left leg is stronger than the right leg. Or you’re more flexible than you thought. Or maybe your more out of shape than you thought you were.

Making Yoga Friends

One of my favorite parts of being a yogi is making new yoga friends. If you are a part of a yoga studio that is the right match for you it becomes a family. You begin to develop relationships with your yoga teachers and fellow yogi classmates. There are also lots of Yoga retreats available. This is a great reason to pack your backpack and see a new part of the world. Yoga retreats are usually in a place that is beautiful and you are able to connect with nature, make friendships with like minded people and take a break from the everyday hustle and bustle.

Do you practice yoga? Are you interested in yoga but not sure where to start? What are some things you’d like to know about yoga? Let me know in the comments below