Top 10 Benefits of Yoga Practise
Increased flexibility and fantastic exercise is only one of the many yoga benefits. Many people around the world take part in yoga classes in gyms, hotels or spas as a way to incorporate meditation, breath work and stretching into their exercise regime.
At Boutique Lux, we are very lucky for our properties, The Buddha House and The Retreat, to be surrounded by a variety of yoga fitness classes. Some of these classes can be found at the end of this article, so if you are staying with us, definitely check them out to take advantage of the many benefits yoga has to offer!
But what are these various benefits? You might be surprised to know that in addition to yoga being a form of exercise, there is a wide range of other advantages to yoga, from improvements to immunity to better posture!
1. Improves Flexibility
An improvement in flexibility is one of many yoga benefits, however, don’t expect to contort yourself into a range of different positions on the first try!
The longer you stick with yoga as a daily or weekly form of exercise, the looser you will feel, the aches and pains will start fading away and the more flexible you will be to touch your toes!
2. Increases Blood Flow
Relaxation exercises performed during yoga can increase full-body blood circulation by forcing more oxygen to your cells and therefore improving function as a result.
Yoga increases hemoglobin levels and red blood cell count which brings in more oxygen to the tissue. Yoga exercises also thins the blood and reduce the level of clot-causing proteins therefore reducing the risks of heart attacks and strokes.
3. Improves Posture
Poor posture can lead to joint and muscle problems, as well as degenerative spinal issues and arthritis later on in life.
Performing yoga exercises frequently improves internal balance and therefore making things easier for your spine, neck and back muscles to support your head.
4. Lowers Blood Pressure
One of the yoga benefits is a reduction in blood pressure, a finding which can be supported by a range of different studies.
For example, one study found that the particular Savasana pose (also known as the Corpse Pose), was associated with drops in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure when compared to simply lying on the sofa.
5. Improves Balance
Practising yoga frequently increases your proprioception, which is the extent to which you can feel what your body is doing and having an awareness of the space around you.
Having poor proprioception has links to knee problems and back pain. Good proprioception and improved balance could potentially lower the risk of falls, something of considerable importance regarding the elderly, which could then lead to more independence.
6. Beneficial for Digestive Issues
Yoga can help improve your digestion, minimise constipation and bloating by increasing the blood circulation and energy. Internal organs can be stimulated by various yoga positions, and yoga can also stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system which regulates our digestion.
7. Prevents Cartilage Breakdown
When you practise yoga routinely, you activate and move parts of the joints and cartilage that aren’t usually used on a daily basis. This extensive range and form of movement and stretching encourages the cartilage to ‘squeeze and soak’. This allows the cartilage to absorb new, fresh nutrients which helps to prevent degenerative conditions such as arthritis.
8. Boosts Immunity
Practising yoga frequently can provide a natural way to support the immune system. It can help to lower stress hormones that negatively affect the nervous system, and also helps to stimulate the lymphatic system to remove toxins from the body.
It encourages oxygenated blood flow to a variety of organs which in turn improves their overall functionality.
9. Lowers Blood Sugar
Practising yoga overtime lowers blood sugar and ‘bad cholesterol’, whilst increasing ‘good’ cholesterol’. It lowers cortisol and levels of adrenaline which encourages weight loss and improves insulin sensitivity.
As blood sugar levels decrease, you in turn lower the risk of suffering from heart attacks, kidney problems and sight-loss.
10. Regulates Nervous System
Practising restorative yoga is a brilliant remedy for stress as it causes the sympathetic nervous system to down-regulate and the parasympathetic nervous system to up-regulate.
Up-regulating the parasympathetic nervous system can lead to improvements in rest, digestion, slowing the heart rate and bodily conserving energy.
Our Favourite Local Yoga Studios
Wilderness Yoga by the Lakes
Little Paxton
- Address: South Lake Ski School, Great N Rd, Little Paxton, Saint Neots PE19 5YF
- Contact:
- Tel: 07917532062
- Email: www.yippeeyoga.co.uk
Equilibrium Yoga & Wellbeing
Huntingdon
- Address: 2 Ferrars Road, Huntingdon, PE29 3DH
- Contact:
- Tel: 01480 456336
- Email: jenny@equilibriumyoga.co.uk
Satyam Yoga & Wellbeing Centre
Cambridge
- Address: 2 – 4 Hawthorn Way, Cambridge CB4 1AX
- Contact:
- Tel: 01223 354415
- Email: info@satyamyogacentre.co.uk
We hope this list has been informative and has provided you with the knowledge about yoga you were looking for!
Remember to check out our property The Retreat to experience exclusive, private spaces to make the most out of your yoga practise!
We are always on hand to offer any advice, to provide information or to answer any queries you might have. Just get in touch below, and we will respond to your request as soon as possible!
Your happiness is our priority
Team Boutique Lux
