10 Reasons Why Practising Yoga is Beneficial For The Mind, Body & Soul

I often wonder what people enjoy about yoga and how it can play a huge role in both physical and mental wellbeing... so here are the top 10 most beneficial reasons why people choose to adopt yoga as their preferred fitness regime.

1. Reduces stress - as most of us have a very busy and hectic lifestyle, this is a great way to unwind. Researchers believe that yoga helps to reduce the hormone cortisol, the hormone responsible for our reaction to stress.

2. Boosts the Immune System - stress can have a negative effect on our immune system so by reducing stress, we are giving our immune system a fighting chance. When practising yoga, we are encouraging our bodies to move into different positions. This movement increases the drainage of lymph (a fluid rich in immune cells), which helps the lymphatic system fight infection, destroy cancerous cells, and dispose of the toxins and waste products.

3. Improves flexibility and soothes aches and pains - when starting our yoga journey, many of us will be unable to even touch our toes. But with time and practise, our bodies start to loosen and even those difficult poses become much easier. Stretching and revitalising our muscles helps to relieve those aches and pains too as we begin to realign our posture.

4. Builds strength - as our flexibility improves, so does our muscle strength (the 2 are very closely related). Stronger muscles are great for our physical health as they can protect from back pain and arthritis.

5. Increases circulation of the blood - Yoga gets your blood moving around your body. Twisting poses can help to push blood out of internal organs allowing fresh oxygenated blood back in. This is beneficial for removing toxins and waste products. For those who have poor circulation, swollen or painful legs, there are several poses to help to get that fresh, oxygenated blood into your tissues.

6. Lowers blood pressure - as we discussed earlier, yoga helps to reduce stress and alongside stress, we can often experience hypertension...

7. Relaxes - yoga is beneficial in helping us to unwind and feel relaxed, happy and contented. Yes... it is down to another chemical within the body. Yoga helps to boost feel-good chemicals into our brain such as serotonin and dopamine. These are responsible for out feelings of happiness and relaxation. Medicines to treat depression and anxiety target these brain chemicals so yoga can be great if you feel "down in the dumps".

8. Promotes healing and restores balance - as we have now know, yoga helps to circulate oxygenated blood around the body. It helps to increase those red blood cells into our tissues. It helps to release chemicals into our brain and gets rid of toxins and waste products from our vital organs. No more needs to be said...

9. Strengths bones - yoga helps to reduce cortisol in our body (the stress hormone) and this can help to retain calcium in our bones. Various yoga poses require our bones and muscles to bear out weight, such as the Downward- and Upward-Facing Dog. These types of poses help to strengthen bones, particularly in the arms, which can be vulnerable to osteoporotic fractures.

10. Improves brain function - yoga teaches us to focus on the present moment. According to research, by allowing our brains to rest and concentrate only on the "here and now", it can help with our ability to problem solve and to acquire and recall information better.

As research into the benefits of yoga continues around the world, more and more people are starting to practise yoga and provide more information about how this impacts them.

As you read this information, consider why you already opt to delve into the world of the Downward- Facing Dog or the Tree Pose. What are the benefits to you?

And if you don't already practise yoga, think about the benefits this could have for you? Do you suffer from aches and pains? Do you have anxiety or often feel low? Do you want to do some form of exercise from the comfort of your own home and feel energised afterwards?

If you practise yoga, or you are considering it, then enjoy!