27 Benefits of a Daily Yoga Practice
Okay we all know that yoga is “good for you” but.. what does that mean? Physical? Emotional? Mental? Let’s dig into it!
Physical:
Enhances Flexibility: This one may be obvious. Yoga postures stretch and elongate muscles, gradually increasing flexibility and range of motion.
Increases Strength: This one also may be obvious. Many yoga poses strengthen the “opposite” muscles that they stretch. For example, in seated forward fold you are flexing your quads and stretching your hamstrings. But maybe a more obvious example of a yoga pose that improves your strength is a handstand. That one requires strength!
Improves Posture: Improved posture is a common outcome of a consistent yoga practice, supported by research published in the International Journal of Yoga Therapy. This is so especially important for anyone working at a desk all day long!!
Improves Balance: Yoga enhances balance and stability through specific poses and movements, as indicated by a study in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity. That means you’ll be less clumsy!
Alleviate Join Pain: Yoga helps to alleviate joint pain and improve mobility, with a study in the Journal of Rheumatology showing positive effects on arthritis symptoms. The effect that yoga can have on our long term health is like preventative magic!
Improves sleep: Practicing yoga regularly can improve sleep quality and reduce insomnia symptoms, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
Compliments Heart Health: Yoga contributes to cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure and improving heart rate variability, as evidenced by a study in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
Enhanced lung capacity: Yoga breathing techniques enhance respiratory function and lung capacity, according to a study published in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine. For me, this one goes beyond the physical. I believe, and often quote in my classes, that if you can breathe through it, you can get through it. This goes hand in hand with meditation, which you can read more about here!
Reduces pain: Research in the Journal of Pain shows that yoga is an effective pain management tool, specifically in reducing chronic low back pain.
Promotes Mindful Eating: Yoga promotes mindful eating habits and awareness of hunger and satiety cues, as demonstrated by research in the Journal of Obesity.
Mental:
Boosts Cognitive Functional: Research in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health shows yoga can help improve memory and attention. Mental clarity? Yes please! Mom brain? No more! Read more about yoga especially for moms here!
Increased energy: Morning yoga sessions increase energy levels and alertness throughout the day, according to a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. I personally believe this would be true for the rest of the day no matter what time your yoga session is!
Increased Body Awareness: Yoga cultivates body awareness and mindfulness, as demonstrated by research in the Journal of Yoga & Physical Therapy. I love this benefit so much. The ability to listen to my body affects so many other facets. The better I know my body, the more intuitively I am able to eat, sleep, rest, and push myself.
Increased resilience: Yoga is about flexibility of the mind just as much as it is about flexibility of the physical body. Research in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology suggests that yoga positively impacts adaptability and resilience, which is a valuable skillset for any human at any time of their life.
Increased self esteem: Yoga builds self-confidence and self-esteem through self-acceptance and self-awareness practices, as suggested by research in the International Journal of Yoga Therapy. This is huge to me! No matter how confident you already are, I believe a little more healthy self esteem could benefit everyone.
Improved mindset: Mindset is a major buzzword right now. And one way to improve your mindset is though the physical practice of yoga? Yes! The Journal of Clinical Psychology indicates that yoga fosters a positive mindset and emotional resilience.
Increases longevity: Age is just a number! Yoga helps maintain physical and mental vitality as people age, as supported by a study in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity. But alas, you cannot bottle up yoga and take it as a pill 😢
Enhances problem solving skills: Yoga enhances creative thinking and problem-solving skills, according to research in the Creativity Research Journal. We all have problems and we all need problem solving skills, but especially those corporate boss babes! If you are chronically sitting at a desk, check out my yoga for desk sitters blog post!
Encourages Lifelong Learning: The philosophy of yoga encourages continuous learning and personal growth, promoting lifelong education and development, as suggested by research in the Journal of Adult Development.
Emotional:
Promotes Stress Reduction: A study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine confirms yoga’s effectiveness in reducing cortisol levels. This means yoga reduces stress and promotes relaxation, which benefits everyone! If you’re ready to reduce stress, read this post about yoga for beginners!
Increases Inner Peace: The Journal of Psychosomatic Research found that yoga fosters a sense of inner peace and emotional well-being. And couldn’t we all use a little more of that in today’s world?
Increased appreciation of life: I’ll be honest, this one made me think a little. Yoga is associated with increased gratitude and appreciation for life? According to a study in the Journal of Happiness Studies, yes! Yes it is. I believe that the breathwork and meditation and stillness can contribute to living more presently and noticing things that you are grateful for. But I also think this gratitude could come from growing in a yoga practice and discovering how amazing the human body is.
Introduces a whole community: Yoga communities provide social support and camaraderie, contributing to overall well-being, according to research in the Journal of Community Psychology. Go to yoga classes at your local studio, sign up for yoga retreats, maybe take a teacher training! You will make lifelong fiends, I can attest to that.
Facilitates personal growth: Yoga encourages humility and acceptance, facilitating personal growth and interpersonal relationships, as suggested by research in the Journal of Personality.
Promotes connecting with nature: Yoga fosters a sense of connection with nature and the environment, promoting ecological awareness, as supported by research in the Journal of Environmental Psychology.
Cultivates self love: Yoga cultivates self-compassion and self-love, contributing to overall mental well-being, as indicated by research in the Journal of Positive Psychology.
Increases Joyful Living: Yoga inspires a sense of joy and gratitude for life's blessings, contributing to a fulfilling and meaningful existence, as demonstrated by research in the Journal of Happiness Studies.
I think we’ve all learned two things from this blog post.
First, there is a “journal” of literally everything and anything.
Second, we should all do more yoga!!!
If you’re interested in yoga and what it can do for you, I urge you to find a studio near you! None of the above is medical advice, but if something in particular caught your eye, please consult your doctor about starting a yoga practice.
