I’ve heard so many positive things about yoga and it has always intrigued me, yet I always find an excuse why I can’t start practicing it. Usually I blame it on the fact that my schedule doesn’t allow for a yoga class.
But as I learn more about yoga, I decided that it’s time to carve out time to at least give yoga a good try to see if I want to incorporate it into my life.
What helped me make my decision to challenge myself to learn yoga is the research I did on the many benefits yoga has to offer. I know people who love yoga and I’ve heard it’s wonderful for the body and soul, but I wanted to know the facts.
So today I invite you to read and consider the 6 benefits of yoga that inspired me to try doing yoga. And be sure to read to the end where I tell you how you can practice yoga for free from your own home!
6 Benefits of Practicing Yoga
Yoga is a very ancient discipline born in India thousands of years ago in order to improve the life of practitioners both physically and, above all, spiritual. It is no coincidence that the word “yoga” means “union.”
Although it is a real physical activity to get you into shape, yoga strongly a spiritual discipline. It’s also a discipline that everyone can practice regardless of fitness, age, and sex.
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1. Yoga is an excellent physical activity
Yoga is a physical activity that allows everyone, without exclusion, to start their body and work on all or only on some parts of it. You do not need to be a pro, just follow the movements that suit your body to benefit from yoga.
2. Helps to use breath in the best way
Depending on the type of yoga you decide to practice you will do more or less breathing exercises that will allow you, right away, to learn to breathe in a different, deeper and less impulsive way. Learning to breathe better means getting more air into our body and, above all, relaxing longer and longer.
3. Yoga helps you sleep better
Physical activity generally helps you sleep better, but yoga is said to be the activity that most helps in this sense.
There are positions designed specifically for relaxation that should be practiced before going to bed, but in general yoga helps you rest better because it moves all the body’s muscles in a way that seems passive to us but that is actually just sweeter. You may not feel fatigue during practice, but your body will surely feel it when you sleep and relax. So get ready for a better night’s sleep.
This is actually the benefit that sealed the deal for me. I’m really looking forward to learning to better relax and sleeping better!
4. It is ideal for posture
Breathing and stretching exercises improves posture and the back. This is another really important benefit for me because I spend long work days sitting. I believe my back will thank me as I start doing yoga.
5. Increases concentration and psychological resistance
Yoga is an exercise in concentration because you have to constantly remember positions and because if you are distracted, you lose the connection between body and mind necessary to complete the sequences.
Practice continually challenges you and increases your ability to concentrate and think only about what you are doing when you are doing it. The result? A higher ability to concentrate even in everyday life, and the ability to stay focused on the moment.
6. You can do yoga at any time
Unlike many other activities, yoga can be practiced at any time: in the morning, at lunchtime, after work, in the evening or at any other convenient time.
You do not have to spend hours and hours doing yoga. Decide for yourself what kind of routine to follow and how much to devote to our practice. And yoga can be done at home with basic equipment.
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Start Practicing Yoga at Home – FOR FREE!
I really want to start practicing yoga in a gentle and relaxed way at least three times per week. I will start by performing some basic asanas, adding a little bit of meditation, and trying to keep things consistent and persistent.
I will start by watching some YouTube videos to get the yoga foundation and to start exploring and experiencing this discipline. There are many different channels from certified yoga teachers, but I decided I like Yoga with Adriene who seems to be the best free yoga source online.
The best thing is I can learn poses in the comfort of my own home, for FREE!
Here’s an example of one of the MANY videos by Adriene. This video is Day 1 of her 30 Days of Yoga and is perfect for beginners. She encourages you to use this DAY 1 practice to take stock, check in with the body and mind. Begin the practice of slowing down, noticing, stretching and moving with ease.
To help me keep my commitment, I’ve made my intention clear with three friends who are also going to do this yoga challenge. We’re going to check in with each other every Sunday night. I will keep you updated with my progress and my own experiences. We are into this together!
To learn more about yoga, check out this helpful article about yoga. Also, read about practical things that can be learned through yoga.
UPDATE: It’s been about 1 month and I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoy yoga. Adriene is my best online friend! On average, I do one of her 20-30 minute videos about 3 times per week. On the days that I don’t formally watch the video, I find myself doing some of the stretches because they really feel good.
The best thing about doing yoga is the slowing down of my mind. It has a meditative aspect that is very calming yet energizing. I’m a little surprised about how good yoga really is for the mind, but I’m loving it!
I’ve also found that I get annoyed with interruptions, so I now make sure my husband knows to give me my 30 minutes of me-time without even walking into the room where I am.
If you don’t already, I recommend you give yoga a try. What’s the worst thing that can happen? There’s a really good chance you might find something that will benefit your mind, body, and soul.
RELATED READING: How to Use Fun Challenges to Form Good Habits
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Thanks for the motivation to get started! Would love it if you blogged how things are going with you and your friends…. Specifically what each of you found the most beneficial.
I promise to give an update down the road!
I heard about Adriene recently! Someone else was commenting on how much they like her videos. I really need to check out the videos and give yoga a try!
My favourite thing about yoga is that I can do it at home, whenever I feel like it. I prefer that to having to go to a class.
Exactly! I just got done doing yoga with my new best yogi friend Adriene. 😌
I never tried yoga before but I can see how it can relieve our body and mind.. so calming..
Yes, it certainly is calming.
Great post. I’m exactly like you. I have had so many friends tell me it’s wonderful and even that it could help with my muscle and joint pain. But I always make excuses why I can’t. I even have a DVD sitting on top of my tv and still just don’t do it. I’m pretty sure I’ll be starting soon whether I want to or not because my mother asked me about a new studio opening up down the street. She said we were going together. Gotta love mothers for pushing us towards things!
Listen to your mother! 😀
Love this. I try and do yoga at least 4 times pw. Don’t always manage that though. At the moment I am working my way through Adreine’s 30 Day Truth Yoga programme on You Tube. She is fantastic and all FREE! LOVE your list of the benefits of yoga – agree with them all. Thanx Jill
Adriene is like my
New best friend lol!
I always thought yoga was too sedate of an activity for me, I preferred running or kickboxing. About 2 years ago I was struggling with IT band issues so I gave yoga a try. I love it now! I find I feel my best and strongest when I can work yoga 2x week and do my other exercise too.
I totally understand your previous thought. So glad I have it a try because it will now be a life-long Joy.
I love yoga. I enjoy doing it at home because you can strike a pose at any time! But I also love taking classes, especially when it’s power yoga. Sometimes being in a group just makes the journey that much better.
Glad you reminded me of Yoga with Adrienne. It’s a good alternative at this time with the coronavirus being so big.
Yes! Adrienne is so fantastic, and being in our own homes seems like a good idea at this time.