
Practicing yoga can help lower stress levels.
There are other aspects to yoga than just stretching, this can be seen when results from studies, such as this 2004 article, suggests practicing yoga can lower one’s blood pressure. Yoga has also been recommended for people with high anxiety, as practicing yoga can lower anxiety as well according to studies such as this.
Yoga can be a strength building exercise.
This 2008 article found that practicing yoga for just 6 weeks lead to weight loss in the subjects. Although yoga may not seem as intense as cardio classes or heavy weight lifting, once you try your first yoga class you will understand that it is a lot harder than it looks.
Yoga has been shown to have cognitive benefits.
Practicing yoga has been shown to help memory in certain individuals per this article. The increased breathing performed during most yoga classes supplies the brain with high amounts of oxygenated blood.
Yoga may reduce pain symptoms.
Many individuals suffer from chronic knee, back, shoulder, or even neck pain. This study found that practicing yoga can significantly reduce and prevent chronic lower back pain.
Yoga is able to help with sleep difficulties.
This study found a correlation between yoga and reducing sleep issues with those who have insomnia and other sleeping problems. Yoga tends to produce a calming effect in those who practice it, yoga will typically help one relax.
Yoga can help with headaches.
Yoga has been shown to aid with chronic headaches such as migraines. This article suggests that those who practice yoga can find a lower rate of experiencing chronic migraines, and the intensity may also be reduced.
Yoga can increase sexual satisfaction in some.
Studies, such as this, suggest that practicing yoga can increase one’s libido. The study applied a 12 week yoga program for 41 female subjects with sexual dysfunction issues. The researchers found there was an increase in arousal for the subjects after the experiment.
Yoga increases flexibility and coordination.
Even if you are not a fan of yoga, you must admit it can improve certain physical traits in us. This research article found benefits with balance, coordinating, and flexibility with a group of high school aged females.
It may lead to a happier state of mind.
In addition to reducing stress, practicing yoga has been shown to promote a happier state of mind in people; some will describe euphoric feelings after participating in a yoga class. This article found improved mood from yoga in psychiatric patients in an inpatient hospital setting.