Aside from the physical benefits, yoga can also help people with numerous health issues. According to Harvard Health, it can improve blood glucose levels, circulation, and cognition, reduce stress, and even lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. It can also improve mental health. In fact, yoga is highly recommended for those with COVID-19 anxiety. The list goes on. To find out the many health benefits of yoga, read on! And, as if this isn’t enough, you can also learn about the benefits of yoga.
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Reduces inflammation
Recent studies have shown that yoga can reduce the physical effects of chronic stress and inflammaging. Researchers have examined several integrative therapies and biomarkers to assess their effects on chronic inflammation. Yoga is an excellent choice to combat chronic inflammation and promote healthy aging. Researchers have found that yoga decreases cortisol levels, which fluctuate throughout the day and signal an overactive sympathetic nervous system. Yoga practitioners have lower levels of cortisol and a higher baseline level of a hormone known as brain derived neurotrophic factor, which regulates neuroplasticity and promotes brain development.
Improves circulation
Good blood circulation improves muscle strength and energy levels. Yoga also relieves stress. Listed below are some of the poses that improve circulation. Each one should be performed for thirty seconds at a time, ideally three times daily. Proper alignment is essential: feet should be hip-width apart. The spine should be in a neutral position, shoulders should be relaxed and the head should be parallel to the floor. Headstand is the queen of all inverted poses.
Reduces stress
The tongue-in-mouth yoga posture helps relieve stress and improve physical health. To perform this pose, sit back on your heels with your knees close together. Bend your elbows at the shoulder and bring your chest to rest on your knees. Exhale as you bend forward. The tongue can then be placed on your chest, neck, and ovaries, thereby relieving pressure on these areas and cooling your mind. Try this pose for at least 60 seconds to reap the benefits of yoga.
Improves concentration
Yoga is a practice that can improve concentration. It requires intense concentration during physical exercises such as inversions and headstands. It also encourages focused breathing, which can also help one to increase concentration. For beginners, it is recommended to practice focused breathing for 10 to 15 minutes every day. The focus object can be an idea, thought, physical object, or breath. A mantra can also be used to improve concentration. It provides a powerful vibration and can help students achieve greater concentration.
Improves sleep
Whether or not yoga improves sleep is a question of controversy, but there is evidence to suggest that it can help people with various sleep disorders. Several studies have examined the benefits of yoga on sleep, and they report that yoga can improve sleep quality for both men and women. However, there are some limitations to the studies. For example, participants with breast cancer did not benefit from yoga as much as those without the condition. And only two studies assessed whether yoga improves sleep in postmenopausal and peri/postmenopausal women.