Learn the Benefits of yoga

increased flexibility and range of motion

Probably one of the first things people notice when they practice yoga is their physical body responds to the practice. Some people may equate this to working out, which is why we will get to the other benefits of yoga beyond what we see in the physical body. You may find yourself touching your toes much sooner than you realize!

It is also very important to remember that when working on increasing your range of motion that a continuous practice is needed to assess your progress in a safe manner. This is why attending a yoga class with a highly trained yoga teacher, is best for guidance and observation. In addition, private yoga lessons can better assess and personalize your yoga practice so you know what poses are needed to match your goals.

better posture

Another great benefit is getting rid of that "keyboardasana". With our lifestyles today, many people find the majority of their lives working at a seated position or looking down at a phone. When you tilt your chin downward to look at a handheld device, or the computer screen, it adds additional stress to your neck to support the angle. With this in mind, computers and handheld devices are not going away any time soon (how else are you reading this??)

Our bodies move on multiple plans of motion. Think of your spine like a joystick controller for a video game. If you kept the stick in one direction, your character would always be headed in that direction. However, we have multiple (total of six) directions for our spine to move: extension, flexion, lateral, and rotational. So being able to move into the other directions helps create balance in our posture.

Most practitioners notice they start "standing up taller" and pain is usually reduced with the improvement in posture. As a double whammy, you may start to notice when looking down at your screen is straining your neck muscles.

mental and emotional wellbeing

Yoga is now being accepted as  form of mental health and wellness support within the medical community. With the emerging field of yoga therapy, more healthcare facilities are implementing yoga as a complimentary practice to therapy programs already in place. Yoga provides the container for others to experience their emotions, thoughts, and life experiences within the present moment. This can sometimes lead to creating healthy and positive habits, such as showing up to a community class to practice with like minded individuals which can help build social connections and support, or being mindful of positive and negative thoughts within the practice. 

All things created in reality, begin in the mind. When we are able to address our needs through the rhythmic practice of yoga, and self reflection in meditation, space opens up for us to question and explore our thought and emotional patterns to help provide clarity. Now there is yoga for multiple ailments such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, and more.