Why would anyone practice yoga?

Why would anyone practice yoga? You might decide to practice because you heard from a friend of yours that through her yoga practice, she learned that it reduced and eased her stress. She found it reduces the level of the stress hormone cortisol through her research and experience. She told you that her digestive problems have been erased or eliminated and her conditions of anxiety, depression, insomnia are no longer a problem for her.

* Many people have found pain relief is a by-product of the type of yoga they have been practicing. They may have found that by doing Power yoga, for example, it has been effective for them in erasing pain or even Bikram Yoga has been beneficial for them because the heat you work under releases many toxins from the joints and body.

* Increased strength mentally and emotionally is also a by-product of meditating, being still and breathing slower which brings about much clarity, peace of mind and higher self-esteem. With a yoga practice, it will help maintain weight management because you will burn calories gently.

* Better Breathing - Better breathing takes place when you learn to breathe properly. You take slower, deeper breaths. Relaxation takes place and increases as a result. The lungs improve their function by increasing the amount of oxygen to the rest of the body.

* You become more flexible. The synovial fluid around the joints is increased for more cushioning of the joints. Muscles along the spinal column are lengthened over time with frequent practice. Muscles surrounding the joints and the bones are lengthened and become less tight so bending is no longer a problem. Stomach muscles are firmer and tighter to act as a girdle for the abdominal cavity (the colon, large and small intestines) etc.

* Improved Circulation is another reason because the yoga postures (asanas) effectively manages oxygen to flow more effectively to the body's cells. All glands, organs, tissues, bones, blood, lymph fluids spinal fluid) are definitely affected and enhanced for the better. By doing so you lower your resting heart rate as well.

* Body Alignment through the use of postures, align your body helping you to manage or eliminate back pain, joint and/or muscle problems, neck pain, etc.

Having a yoga practice, one that you choose that feels right for you, helps you to focus on the present, not the past or future. It helps you to be in the present which will create your future on its own.