It’s not about twisting yourself into pretzel shapes…
1) Flexibility – Yoga stretches and strengthens your muscles and makes them more pliable and flexible. You may think it’s odd that I listed flexibility as the number one benefit when there are so many others, and for all of us non-gymnasts in the crowd, it doesn’t seem like a very useful day to day skill. Still, it’s listed first intentionally. Flexibility is the single biggest predictor of continued mobility into old age. No one wants to be trapped in a body that you can’t move around as you age. Mobility is the key to staying young and vibrant, flexibility is the key to mobility, and yoga can be the key to flexibility.
2) Strength – People think of weight training as being the only way to strengthen muscles, but a consistent yoga practice will leave your muscles wiry and strong! Weight training works by repetition and yoga works by the sustained holding of a single position, but both ways are effective strengtheners.
3) Stamina – Because yoga involves holding positions for extended and ever-building periods of time, it naturally and gradually builds up stamina, and that translates, not only into better health, but into other athletic practices as well!
4) State of Mind – Because yoga is one of the most spiritual physical activities you can engage in, it naturally lends itself to a greater mind/body connection and more centered, peaceful state of mind.
(read more at fivefitnesschicks.com)
