{"id":864,"date":"2018-05-23T16:05:45","date_gmt":"2018-05-23T16:05:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/?p=864"},"modified":"2022-06-17T10:49:43","modified_gmt":"2022-06-17T15:49:43","slug":"physical-benefits-of-yoga","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/physical-benefits-of-yoga\/","title":{"rendered":"Physical Benefits of Yoga"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-814\" src=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/woman-practicing-physical-yoga.jpg\" alt=\"Woman Practicing Physical Yoga\" width=\"850\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/woman-practicing-physical-yoga.jpg 850w, https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/woman-practicing-physical-yoga-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/woman-practicing-physical-yoga-768x542.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/woman-practicing-physical-yoga-260x185.jpg 260w, https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/woman-practicing-physical-yoga-705x498.jpg 705w, https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/woman-practicing-physical-yoga-450x318.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/h2>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_47_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">CONTENTS<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"ez-toc-toggle-icon-1\"><label for=\"item-661d1dca3f119\" aria-label=\"Table of Content\"><span style=\"display: flex;align-items: center;width: 35px;height: 30px;justify-content: center;direction:ltr;\"><svg style=\"fill: #f99bac;color:#f99bac\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #f99bac;color:#f99bac\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/label><input  type=\"checkbox\" id=\"item-661d1dca3f119\"><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-visibility-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/physical-benefits-of-yoga\/#How-Yoga-Can-Improve-Your-Physical-Health\" title=\"How Yoga Can Improve Your Physical Health\">How Yoga Can Improve Your Physical Health<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/physical-benefits-of-yoga\/#Research-on-Yoga%E2%80%99s-Benefits\" title=\"Research on Yoga&#8217;s Benefits\">Research on Yoga&#8217;s Benefits<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/physical-benefits-of-yoga\/#Improves-Your-Flexibility\" title=\"Improves Your Flexibility\">Improves Your Flexibility<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/physical-benefits-of-yoga\/#Builds-Muscular-Strength\" title=\"Builds Muscular Strength\">Builds Muscular Strength<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/physical-benefits-of-yoga\/#Improves-Posture\" title=\"Improves Posture\">Improves Posture<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/physical-benefits-of-yoga\/#Prevents-Breakdown-of-Joints-and-Cartilage\" title=\"Prevents Breakdown of Joints and Cartilage\">Prevents Breakdown of Joints and Cartilage<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/physical-benefits-of-yoga\/#Protects-Your-Spine\" title=\"Protects Your Spine\">Protects Your Spine<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/physical-benefits-of-yoga\/#Improves-Bone-Health\" title=\"Improves Bone Health\">Improves Bone Health<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/physical-benefits-of-yoga\/#Increases-Blood-Flow\" title=\"Increases Blood Flow\">Increases Blood Flow<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/physical-benefits-of-yoga\/#Boosts-Immunity-and-Drains-Your-Lymph\" title=\"Boosts Immunity and Drains Your Lymph\">Boosts Immunity and Drains Your Lymph<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/physical-benefits-of-yoga\/#Increases-Your-Heart-Rate\" title=\"Increases Your Heart Rate\">Increases Your Heart Rate<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/physical-benefits-of-yoga\/#Reduces-Your-Blood-Pressure\" title=\"Reduces Your Blood Pressure\">Reduces Your Blood Pressure<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/physical-benefits-of-yoga\/#Regulates-Your-Adrenal-Glands\" title=\"Regulates Your Adrenal Glands\">Regulates Your Adrenal Glands<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/physical-benefits-of-yoga\/#Makes-You-Happier\" title=\"Makes You Happier\">Makes You Happier<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/physical-benefits-of-yoga\/#Helps-Establish-a-Healthy-Lifestyle\" title=\"Helps Establish a Healthy Lifestyle\">Helps Establish a Healthy Lifestyle<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/physical-benefits-of-yoga\/#Lowers-Your-Blood-Sugar\" title=\"Lowers Your Blood Sugar\">Lowers Your Blood Sugar<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/physical-benefits-of-yoga\/#Improves-Your-Focus\" title=\"Improves Your Focus\">Improves Your Focus<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/physical-benefits-of-yoga\/#Relaxes-Your-System\" title=\"Relaxes Your System\">Relaxes Your System<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/physical-benefits-of-yoga\/#Improves-Your-Balance\" title=\"Improves Your Balance\">Improves Your Balance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/physical-benefits-of-yoga\/#Maintains-Your-Nervous-System\" title=\"Maintains Your Nervous System\">Maintains Your Nervous System<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/physical-benefits-of-yoga\/#Increases-Limb-Tension\" title=\"Increases Limb Tension\">Increases Limb Tension<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/physical-benefits-of-yoga\/#Improves-Deep-Sleeping\" title=\"Improves Deep Sleeping\">Improves Deep Sleeping<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/physical-benefits-of-yoga\/#Improves-Lung-Function\" title=\"Improves Lung Function\">Improves Lung Function<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/physical-benefits-of-yoga\/#Improves-Digestive-Function\" title=\"Improves Digestive Function\">Improves Digestive Function<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How-Yoga-Can-Improve-Your-Physical-Health\"><\/span><strong>How Yoga Can Improve Your Physical Health<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you are passionate about practicing yoga, then you most likely have noticed some benefits &#8211; perhaps you feel more at ease and relaxed, get fewer colds or sleep better. However, suppose you have tried to tell a beginner about all of the essential benefits that yoga has to offer. In that case, you may find explanations such as &#8220;it increases energy along your spine&#8221; or &#8220;it increases prana flow&#8221; to fall on skeptical or deaf ears. This mind-body practice includes physical positions, breathing techniques, and mindfulness.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Yoga can help reduce risks for chronic diseases, such as heart disease, and high blood pressure.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Research-on-Yoga%E2%80%99s-Benefits\"><\/span><strong>Research on Yoga&#8217;s Benefits<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Western science has started to provide some strong evidence on how yoga keeps sickness under control, heals aches and pains, and improves health. After you have a good understanding of them, you will be even more motivated to\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/best-yoga-mats\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">roll out your mat<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, and most likely, next time, you won&#8217;t feel as tongue-tied when someone wants proof. <\/span>There\u2019s encouraging evidence that yoga may help patients with some chronic diseases manage symptoms and improve their quality of life.<\/p>\n<p>Health benefits of yoga include: Cardiovascular system (heart and arteries) \u2013 asanas are isometric, which means they rely on holding muscle tension for a short period of time.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Improves-Your-Flexibility\"><\/span><strong>Improves Your Flexibility<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">One of the most prominent and first benefits that yoga provides is improved flexibility. During the first class you take, you may not be able to touch your toes, much less perform a deep backbend. However, if you don&#8217;t give up and continue to practice, you will notice yourself loosening up gradually, and eventually, those poses that seemed impossible will be possible to do.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">You&#8217;ll probably also notice a decrease in pains and aches. That isn&#8217;t a coincidence. Poor posture caused by immobility of connective tissue and muscles like ligaments and fascia can cause discomfort up and down your body. When your hips are tight, your knees may feel strain due to your shin bones and thighs being improperly aligned. Tight hamstrings might lead to your lumbar spine being flattened, which can result in back pain. The more you mobilize your muscles and other connective tissues, the better you&#8217;ll feel.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Builds-Muscular-Strength\"><\/span><strong>Builds Muscular Strength<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Not only do strong muscles look good, but they also help to prevent older people from falling and protect against conditions such as back pain and arthritis. By practicing yoga, you increase your flexibility and build up your strength at the same time. If all you did was lift weights in the gym, you might build up strength but sacrifice your flexibility in the process.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Improves-Posture\"><\/span><strong>Improves Posture<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Your head is similar to a bowling ball &#8211; heavy, round and oversized. When it is balanced over your erect spine directly, it doesn&#8217;t take as much work from your back and neck muscles to support it. However, if you move your head several inches forward, those muscles start to become strained. If you hold up your forward-leaning head for 8-12 hours per day, of course, you are going to be tired and uncomfortable. This poor posture can also cause neck and back pain as well as headaches and other conditions. When you slump, it forces your body to compensate by flattening the regular inward curves in your lower back and neck. That can cause degenerative arthritis and pain in your spine.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Prevents-Breakdown-of-Joints-and-Cartilage\"><\/span><strong>Prevents Breakdown of Joints and Cartilage<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">When you perform yoga, your joints often get to move through their entire range of motion. That can help mitigate or prevent degenerative arthritis through &#8220;soaking and squeezing&#8221; parts of the cartilage that aren&#8217;t usually used. Joint cartilage is similar to a sponge; it only receives fresh nutritions when the fluid gets squeezed out and when there is a new supply to soak up. If proper sustenance is not received, the neglected cartilage area might eventually wear out, exposing the worn-out bone underneath.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Protects-Your-Spine\"><\/span><strong>Protects Your Spine<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Spinal discs need movement. These &#8220;shock absorbers&#8221; in between your vertebrae can compress and herniate if not properly cared for. You can help your disks stay supple by practicing a well-balanced asana regimen that includes plenty of twists, forward bends, and backbends.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Improves-Bone-Health\"><\/span><strong>Improves Bone Health<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">It has been well-established that weight-bearing exercises help to strengthen bones and fight off osteoporosis. Many yoga postures require your weight to be lifted. And some, such as the Upward- and Downward-Facing Dog, help strengthen the bones in your arms, which are especially vulnerable to getting osteoporotic fractures. At UCLA, a study was conducted that showed that vertebrae bone density was increased by yoga practice. The ability of yoga to reduce cortisol levels, a stress hormone, might also help bones retain their calcium.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Increases-Blood-Flow\"><\/span><strong>Increases Blood Flow<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Yoga helps get your blood flowing, and deep breathing exercises can increase the amount of oxygen delivered to your cells, which causes them to function better. Twisting poses are believed to wring venous blood out from internal organs and allow for the flow of oxygenated blood after releasing the twist. Inverted poses, like shoulder stands, handstands, headstands, and legs up the wall promote the flow of venous blood from the pelvis and legs to the heart, which then can be pumped into the lungs and be freshly oxygenated. If your legs have any swelling due to kidney or heart problems, this may be beneficial.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Yoga also helps to boost red blood cell and hemoglobin levels, which carry oxygen into the tissues. This thins the blood by making the platelets less sticky and cutting the blood&#8217;s clot-promoting protein levels. These benefits may help reduce strokes and heart attacks since blood clots frequently cause them.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Boosts-Immunity-and-Drains-Your-Lymph\"><\/span><strong>Boosts Immunity and Drains Your Lymph<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Whenever you come in and out of your yoga postures, move organs around, and stretch and contract your muscles, you increase lymph drainage (which is a viscous fluid full of immune cells). This helps your lymphatic system dispose of toxic waste from cellular functioning, destroy cancerous cells, and fight infection.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Increases-Your-Heart-Rate\"><\/span><strong>Increases Your Heart Rate<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Whenever your heart rate gets into the aerobic state regularly, it can help relieve depression and reduce the risk of heart attacks. Although not every form of yoga is aerobic, when you do it vigorously or take Ashtanga or flow classes, it can get your heart rate boosted into an aerobic range. However, even doing yoga exercises where your heart rate isn&#8217;t increased very high may improve your cardiovascular conditioning. It has been found that practicing yoga improves your maximum oxygen uptake during exercise, increases endurance, and reduces your resting heart rate &#8211; which all reflect improved aerobic conditioning. One study found that subjects who only were taught\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/pranayama\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">pranayama (breathing exercises)<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0were able to do more exercise while using less oxygen.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reduces-Your-Blood-Pressure\"><\/span><strong>Reduces Your Blood Pressure<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">You may benefit from yoga if you have high blood pressure. Two studies conducted on individuals with hypertension and published by The Lancet, a British medical journal, compared the effects of the Corpse Pose (Savasana) with just lying on the sofa. After three months, it was shown that Savasana had a 26-point decrease in systolic blood pressure (upper number) associated with a 15-point reduction in diastolic blood pressure (lower number). The drop was more significant the greater the initial blood pressure was.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Regulates-Your-Adrenal-Glands\"><\/span><strong>Regulates Your Adrenal Glands<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Yoga reduces cortisol levels. This might not sound like a lot. However, consider the following. The adrenal glands normally secrete cortisol as a response to an acute crisis, which temporarily boosts immune function. If following the crisis, your cortisol levels continue to stay high, which can compromise your immune system. Temporary cortisol boosts can help with your long-term memory; however, having chronically high levels can undermine memory and cause permanent brain changes. Also, there have been links between excessive cortisol and insulin resistance, high blood pressure, osteoporosis (calcium, and other minerals, are extracted from the bones, and it also interferes with new bone development), and major depression. High cortisol levels in rats lead to what researchers call &#8220;food-seeking behavior&#8221; (where you are driven to eat whenever you are stressed, angry, or upset). Those extra calories are taken by your body and distributed as fat in your abdomen, which contributes to weight gain and the risk of heart attack and diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Makes-You-Happier\"><\/span><strong>Makes You Happier<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Are you feeling sad? If so, sit in the Lotus position. Or even better, soar into the King Dancer Pose or rise into a backbend. Although it isn&#8217;t that easy, it was found in one study that practicing yoga consistently\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/mental-benefits-of-yoga\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">improved mental health<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0traits, including depression. Also, it led to decreases in cortisol and monoamine oxidase (an enzyme that breaks neurotransmitters down) levels and a significant increase in serotonin levels. Dr. Richard Davidson, at the University of Wisconsin, found heightened activity in the left prefrontal cortex&#8217;s mediators. This finding is correlated with better immune function and increased happiness levels. In the long-term, dedicated yoga practitioners, a more left-side and dramatic activation was found.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Helps-Establish-a-Healthy-Lifestyle\"><\/span><strong>Helps Establish a Healthy Lifestyle<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The adage that many dieters use is to eat less and move more. Yoga can help with both of these things. Practicing yoga regularly helps to burn calories and get you moving. The emotional and spiritual aspects of practicing yoga can help address your weight and eating issues on a deeper level. Another thing that yoga might inspire is for you to become more conscious about what you eat.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lowers-Your-Blood-Sugar\"><\/span><strong>Lowers Your Blood Sugar<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">It has been found that yoga reduces blood sugar in a couple of different ways in individuals who have diabetes: it improves sensitivity to insulin effects, encourages weight loss, and lowers adrenaline and cortisol levels. Reducing blood sugar levels can help to increase risks caused by diabetic complications like blindness, kidney failure, and heart attack.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Improves-Your-Focus\"><\/span><strong>Improves Your Focus<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Another important aspect of yoga is it helps you focus on the present. Studies have found that practicing yoga regularly helps improve IQ scores, memory, reaction time, and coordination. Individuals practicing Transcendental Meditation show improvement in their ability to recall and acquire information and solve problems &#8211; most likely because they are not as distracted by their thoughts that can tend to play over and over again in their heads.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Relaxes-Your-System\"><\/span><strong>Relaxes Your System<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Yoga helps to encourage you to focus on the present, slow your breath, and relax. You can even shift your parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest) from your sympathetic nervous system (which is your flight-or-flight response). Your parasympathetic nervous system is restorative and calming; it reduces your heart and breathing rates, increases blood flow into your reproductive organs and intestines, and decreases blood pressure. This is referred to as the relaxation response.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Improves-Your-Balance\"><\/span><strong>Improves Your Balance<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Practicing yoga regularly improves your balance and increases your proprioception (this refers to your ability to feel your body in space and what it is doing). Usually, individuals with dysfunctional movement patterns or poor posture have bad proprioception, which is linked to back pain and knee problems. Improved balance might result in fewer falls. For elderly individuals, that translates into having more independence and either the delay or avoidance of being admitted into a nursing home. For everyone else, the Tree Pose and similar postures can help you feel more stable on your feet.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Maintains-Your-Nervous-System\"><\/span><strong>Maintains Your Nervous System<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Some advanced yogis can control their bodies in amazing ways. Scientists have monitored some while increasing their hand temperature by 15 degrees, generating specific brain-wave patterns, and inducing unusual heart rhythms. If they can do that through yoga, you might learn how the blood flows into your pelvis can be improved if you attempt to get pregnant or learn how relaxation can be induced when you have problems sleeping.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Increases-Limb-Tension\"><\/span><strong>Increases Limb Tension<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Have you ever found yourself using a death grip to hold the steering wheel or phone or scrunching up your face while looking at your computer screen? Those types of unconscious habits may lead to chronic soreness, muscle fatigue, and tension in your face, neck, shoulders, arms, and wrists, which can worsen your mood and increase your stress. As you are practicing yoga, you will start noticing where you tend to hold tension: It may be in the muscles of your neck and face, your eyes, or your tongue. If you start tuning in, you might be able to release some of that tension.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Improves-Deep-Sleeping\"><\/span><strong>Improves Deep Sleeping<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Stimulation is great; however, your nervous system can be taxed when you get too much. Yoga can provide you with relief from the modern life&#8217;s hustle and bustle. Meditation, pranayama, Yoga Nidra (a kind of guided relaxation), and restorative asana help to encourage pratyahara, which is a turning inward of your senses. This provides your nervous system with downtime. Studies also suggest that practicing yoga regularly can result in better sleep so that you will be less stressed and more energized, leading to fewer accidents and mixups in your life.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Improves-Lung-Function\"><\/span><strong>Improves Lung Function<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Yogis have a tendency to take fewer and greater volume breaths which is more efficient and calming. A study published in 1998 in The Lancet showed findings where individuals with lung conditions from congestive heart failure implemented the yogic technique called &#8220;complete breathing.&#8221; Within one month, they noticed an average decrease in respiratory rate from more than 13 breaths per minute to less than 8. In the meantime, there was a significant increase in exercise capacity, along with their blood&#8217;s oxygen saturation. It has also been shown that yoga improves several lung function measures, including exhalation efficiency and maximum breath volume.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Nose breathing is also promoted in yoga. This helps filter the air to minimize things settling into your lungs, such as dirt and pollen and humidifies and warms it (it is more likely that dry, cold air will trigger asthma attacks in sensitive individuals).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Improves-Digestive-Function\"><\/span><strong>Improves Digestive Function<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers &#8211; stress can exacerbate all of these. So you will suffer less if you can manage stress better. Like any other type of physical exercise, yoga can ease constipation and theoretically reduce the risk of colon cancer because more rapid transportation of waste and food through the bowels is facilitated by moving your body. Also, although it hasn&#8217;t been scientifically studied yet, yogis suspected that twisting poses might help move waste through the system.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As you can see, many positive physical benefits come from practicing yoga. Try it yourself and see what your favorite part of the experience is.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>In conclusion, yoga has many physical benefits. It can improve your strength, flexibility, and balance. It also has positive effects on your heart health and can help you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. If you are looking for a way to improve your physical fitness, yoga may be the answer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How Yoga Can Improve Your Physical Health If you are passionate about practicing yoga, then you most likely have noticed some benefits &#8211; perhaps you feel more at ease and relaxed, get fewer colds or sleep better. However, suppose you &#8230; <a title=\"Physical Benefits of Yoga\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/bestinyoga.com\/physical-benefits-of-yoga\/\" aria-label=\"More on Physical Benefits of Yoga\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":814,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[20],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>The Best Physical Health Benefits of Yoga for Everyone (Men &amp; Women)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Yoga provides many physical health benefits for both men and women. New studies show strong evidence on how yoga keeps sickness under control, heals aches and pains, and improves health. 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