The benefits of yoga are endless however the main reason as to why I like to practice this powerful combination of strengthening and lengthening exercise is for better range of motion and clarity. Ok so I snuck two reasons in there. To be honest I can’t really choose just one reason, the list goes on and on. However it is scientifically proven that yoga’s relaxing techniques within the practice have lessened chronic pain such as lower back problems, arthritis, headaches and carpal tunnel syndrome. Other physical benefits include improved flexibility, increased muscle tone, improved strength as well as range of motion throughout the joints.

The purpose of yoga is to create strength, awareness and harmony in both the mind and body, to assist with both mental health and physical health and what’s more it is a great way to de-stress. Aside from the physical benefits, one of the best benefits of yoga is how it helps a person manage stress, which is known to have devastating effects on the body and mind. Stress can reveal itself in many ways, including back or neck pain, sleeping problems, headaches, drug abuse, and an inability to concentrate. Stress in today’s society is becoming more and more of a problem and people are struggling trying to manage their stress levels. And why can’t we handle our stress well? We are all becoming a society of shallow breathers. Our breath has become shortened over time which increases our chances of panic attacks. How do we turn this around and learn how to breath deeper, not from the chest but from the lungs. Yoga. Yoga teaches us how to focus on the breath within the practice, how to and when to breathe at the right time and reminds us to slow down and listen to the breath.  The breath also plays a huge part when we exercise, if we don’t know how important the breath is than exercising becomes harder and harder. Going back to the basics will help with exercise, stressful situations and even exciting moments in life when hyperventilation comes into play. By practicing yoga at least once a week will help reduce stress levels and assist with breathing difficulties and help us handle stressful situations a lot better.

Other physical benefits of yoga include:

·         Great for bone health

·         Strengthens the spine

·         Increased flexibility

·         Increased muscle strength and tone

·         Improved respiration, energy and vitality

·         Maintaining a balanced metabolism

·         Weight reduction

·         Cardio and circulatory health

·         Improved athletic performance

·         Protection from injury

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Mental benefits:

·         Ease “monkey mind”

·         Mental clarity, better thought process

·         Increases serotonin within the body

·         Increases oxygen in the body

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Yoga also assists in draining your lymph’s and also helps boosts your immunity. When you contract and stretch muscles, move organs around, and come in and out of yoga postures, you increase the drainage of lymph (a viscous fluid rich in immune cells). This helps the lymphatic system fight infection, destroy cancerous cells, and dispose of the toxic waste products of cellular functioning. Which in turn will revitalise both your body and the clarity of your skin.

When you are trying yoga make sure you try more than one yoga session, yoga has many different varieties. It took me a month of teaching yoga to fall in love with the practice. My busy monkey mind felt uncomfortable with yoga but it was that, that made me realise I needed yoga more than anything.

We run Virtual Yoga sessions that can be done LIVE or recorded, it is a perfect opportunity to try yoga in the comfort of your own home. Get in contact with us so we can tell you more.

Real Fitness Training is a boutique wellness studio located in the Hills District which includes the surrounding suburbs of Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, Kellyville, Bella Vista, Castle Hill, Cherrybrook, Glenorie, West Pennant Hills, Glenwood and Rouse Hill. Our services include personal training, semi-private personal training, yoga, meditation and nutrition. Creating optimal lifestyles since 2013.