Yoga is a lot more than just a mere workout. It acts as a bridge between your mind and body which is of immense value to your health. This 5000 year old practice has been beneficial to yogis making them better individuals all around. From increasing your happiness levels to boosting your immune system, yoga has got it all. Here are some major benefits of yoga listed:

Stress reduction

Stress is prevalent in this busy world. One of the main reasons why people practice yoga is that it is reduces stress at substantial levels. Whether you are stressed at work or there are other ingrained issues related to loss, yoga can be a good stimulator.

Yoga is a combination of physical and mental disciplines that operates in conjunction to release emotional and physical stress. Controlled breathing is one of the aspects of yoga.  Controlling your breath can calm your mind and contain your body. Not only it helps to keep a check on your stress but regulate every other aspect of your daily routine.

The benefits of yoga even extends to your brain. Not only yoga benefits you physically but mentally and emotionally as well. Some people refer yoga as ‘trash filters’. Reduction of mental stress enables us to recall easier and organize our thoughts in a better manner.

Increases flexibility

Yoga is a lot about stretching and strengthening. Our bodies have become less flexible due to the routines we are involved into. Laziness has dominated a huge chunk of our society and even at workplace our body postures are not what they are supposed to be.

This is why yoga can be good at increasing flexibility which of course is of no surprise. In just few sessions of yoga you will feel that your muscles are much looser that they were in the start. Regular practice can make your body highly flexible.

But why is flexibility so important? It can eradicate physical aches loosening knees and hamstrings and work on the sources of uncomfortable body pain.

Muscle strength

Yoga can give you a well-toned body. Practicing yoga on regular basis helps to build up muscle strength which contributes to your health significantly. Strong muscles are able to fight undesired conditions like back pain and arthritis. It also gives an edge to people who go to gym as strong muscles are needed in lifting weights. You just have to use the right yoga gloves, mat and apparel to get a stronger body.

Regulates immune system

A healthy immune system is essential to fight off illnesses and it is more important during cooler seasons. Yoga is known for the quality of boosting your immune system. Practicing yoga poses have a direct impact on physiological areas like nervous and circulatory systems that help trigger your immunity.

Sleep better

According to many researches and surveys, most of the people all over world are not getting the recommended sleep i.e. 7-9 hours per night. Most of them are suffering sleep problems. A recent research by Harvard School has reached to a conclusion that daily yoga practice can fight against insomniac problems. It helps to improve the quantity and quality of sleep you get.

The reason behind this is that yoga can relax your nervous system. The poses you practice help your body to get into a relaxed state making it easier for you to take a restful sleep.

Asthma ease

Yoga is known for its ability to heal and prevent many diseases. Asthma is one of them. A study where a number of asthmatic adults were urged to practice yoga had dramatic improvements in their health after a period of eight weeks. Breathing practice is an important aspect of yoga known as pranayama, helps to ease the symptoms of asthma.

Increases happiness

We say that happiness is all we need. It is essential to be happy in order to have a healthy lifestyle. It is great in increasing serotonin levels and tackle depression. It helps to diminish negative vibes in your lifestyle like embarrassment.

Bottom line

Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years mainly because it is a good source of enjoyment. Put aside all benefits on one side, just consider the fact that yogis enjoy this practice to its maximum.