10 Ways You Can Benefit From Yoga, No Matter Your Fitness Level
Yoga challenges your body and mind. It’s an excellent addition to your routine if you’re committed to improving your health and well-being. The process involves a combination of movements, held positions, deep breathing, and meditation.
At neXendo Wellness in Long Island City and Murray Hill, New York, physician Anastasios Manessis, MD, director of medical fitness Dimitrios Triantafyllopoulos, director of nutrition Camille Falisse, MS, RD, and the team create individualized wellness programs which might include yoga. Our personal training services ensure you get the most out of your yoga sessions.
Whether it’s your first time trying yoga or you have years of experience, it offers unmatched benefits for your mental and physical wellness. Here are 10 ways you can benefit from yoga no matter your fitness level:
1. Increased flexibility
Yoga movements focus on stretching your muscles while also drawing blood into them to warm them up. Slow, intentional movements help you develop flexibility quickly, especially if you engage in regular yoga sessions. Research indicates yoga may improve your flexibility by up to 35% after just eight weeks.
2. Increased strength
Some styles of yoga focus on building muscle strength, offering a slow-paced and relaxing alternative to weight training. Specific poses target specific muscle groups, and almost all yoga types improve abdominal strength.
3. Reduced stress
Many people who regularly practice yoga find it a source of stress relief. With elements like breathwork and meditation, yoga provides the perfect opportunity to shed the built-up stress from a busy workday.
4. Better balance and injury prevention
Yoga is a standout strategy for improving balance, which prevents falls and injuries. Additionally, practicing yoga can reduce frailty and promote healthy aging for older adults.
5. Fewer arthritis symptoms
If you have arthritis, gentle yoga can reduce joint swelling, pain, and stiffness.
6. Improved sleep
Do you experience insomnia? Instead of taking melatonin or prescription medications for sleep, consider practicing yoga instead. By practicing before bed, you relax your mind and muscles to prepare for a good night’s sleep.
7. Increased energy
Regular yoga boosts your mental and physical energy and alertness. There are numerous secondary benefits to having more energy. For example, you might have more time after work to engage in your creative hobbies. Higher alertness during the day could also reduce your risk of accidents on the road or on the job.
8. Connection with others
Engaging in yoga in a group setting gives you the opportunity to connect with others who have similar wellness goals. Taking a yoga class can help you feel less lonely and give you a sense of routine, leading to possible mental health improvements.
9. Improved cardiovascular health
Yoga gets your heart pumping. Through yogic breathing and movements, you can exercise your heart and blood vessels to regulate your heart rate and reduce high blood pressure.
10. Weight management
Yoga may be a great addition to your weight loss plan. When combined with clinical nutrition and other mindful strategies, yoga helps burn more calories to assist with managing your weight.
The health and wellness benefits of yoga are attainable for anyone. To learn more about yoga’s benefits and how yoga fits into your wellness program, call neXendo Wellness or request an appointment online.