Circulation

Oxygen is the source of life for every cell in the body. It heals our wounds, kills germs and bacteria, and ensures the strength and vitality of all living tissues. Blood is what carries oxygen throughout the body, and physical activities like yoga raises the heart rate and increases the circulation of oxygen-rich blood.

Yoga is particularly beneficial as it boosts blood circulation to often-neglected areas such as the joints, connective tissues, and internal organs via deep stretches, twists, backbends, and muscular contraction.

Detoxification

Our bodies are designed to naturally eliminate toxin through the skin, the breath, the blood, and the organs of elimination. In almost every yoga class, you sweat, you breathe deeply, your heart rate rises (increased circulation), and you massage and stimulate the organs of elimination through twisting and bending postures. For detoxification, a regular yoga practice is extremely effective.

Strength and Flexibility

While some people find results in a better physique via cardio exercising or strength training with weights and/or machine, more people find results through practicing yoga because of its naturally holistic approach. Yoga postures strengthen and lengthen the body's connective tissue through physical postures that have been practiced for thousands of years. It doesn't matter if you are flexible or stiff, weak or strong, yoga can transform your body and mind and improve your overall health.

Stress Relief

The stress and pressure of our daily lives can lead to serious illness and diseases if left unchecked. A regular yoga practice calms the body and mind, boosts the immune system, and eliminates the toxins that stress creates - so many students see yoga as the perfect “cure” for a stressful day at work.

Self Confidence & Self Esteem

Yoga makes you feel healthy, strong, and limber which will immediately boosts your self-confidence. Learning yoga postures creates an enormous sense of pride that will improve the way you feel about yourself both inside the studio as well as out in your daily life.

Breath Control

The quality of our breath is directly related to our mental state. When we are upset, the breath tends to be fast and shallow. When we are at ease, the breath is usually slow and deep. We don't have to think to breathe, but when we learn to consciously control the breath, it helps us to control the body and mind as well.

Often referred to as “moving meditation”, an advanced yoga practice is one where students are able to maintain deep, consistent breath throughout their entire practice, regardless of the physical posture they are performing. In this manner, yoga teaches us to control our state of mind, regardless of the daily stresses we encounter.

Weight Loss

Many students report that after practicing yoga regularly, they feel less hungry and make better choices when eating. As part of an overall healthy lifestyle, yoga is a great way to cleanse the body, increase metabolism, stimulate waste elimination, and reduce food cravings.

Is Yoga Aerobic?

Aerobic exercise occurs when an elevated heart rate is sustained for twenty minutes or more. Aerobic activities are particularly helpful for strengthening the heart, burning excess fat, and increasing the body's metabolism.

Yoga can be a great aerobic workout, but it depends on the students and on the class they are taking. In order to sustain an elevated heart rate during practice, students should try their best to actively participate in all postures and take classes that they find challenging.

Overall Fitness

Many physical activities that are good for your health also create serious imbalances in the body. Runners are prone to knee and back problems, tennis players often develop arthritis in their wrists and elbows, and weight lifters' connective tissues soon become tight and rigid. Yoga is one of the few physical activities that promotes whole-body wellness - both physically and psychologically - without creating the imbalances that lead to injuries.