What are the benefits of practicing yoga?
Put simply, the reason so many people are falling in love with yoga
is that they are discovering how wonderful it is for your mind, body, and spirit.
But in case you’re not yet convinced, Peg at Harmony Wellness has come up with
our top ten reasons why yoga is incredible.

1.  Yoga increases your flexibility.
   This is why many people start yoga, and it’s certainly a great benefit of yoga practice. Yoga postures and sequences help to increase the body’s range of motion. The mindful approach of yoga helps to  ensure that stretching is done safely, allowing the nervous system to release the muscles into gentle, effective stretches. Releasing tension in the muscles can also help them to relax and let go, helping your body to open up more. Contact Harmony Wellness for consult.
   ​

2. Yoga helps you to build strength.
   Many people overlook this one, seeing only yoga’s benefits for flexibility, yoga is actually a fantastic strengthening practice in addition to weight training. Yoga helps to strengthen the muscles that  support the body’s weight, leading to functional strength. It is also great for building core strength. This  improves athletic performance as well as functionality in everyday life while keeping you safe from injury. Contact Harmony Wellness for consult.
    

3. Yoga improves your posture.
   Yoga can help to address any muscular imbalances, lengthening tight areas and strengthening weak areas. Our posture can often deteriorate as we age, in a large part due to our habitual movement patterns during the day. For instance, if you spend long hours working at a computer, you may find yourself vulnerable to slumping with rounded shoulders. Over time the back muscles become weak, and the chest muscles  become tight, exacerbating the rounded posture. Yoga can help you to stretch out the chest and strengthen the muscles of the back.
    

4. Yoga helps to keep your joints healthy.
   Yoga will strengthen the muscles around the joints, helping to stabilize them. By moving the joints in their full range of motion, yoga can help to promote better joint health. The mobilization of the joints improves the flow of synovial fluid, which lubricates them, allowing for smooth  and healthy movement of the bones. Synovial fluid also delivers fresh oxygen and nutrients to the joint cartilage, helping to restore it and keep it healthy. Contact Harmony Wellness for consult.
    

5.  Yoga is a powerful mindfulness practice.
   Yoga is about uniting the mind, body, and breath. In doing this it brings you into the present moment. Mindfulness has proven benefits for a  whole range of health conditions, and is particularly effective in  promoting positive mental health. In particular, mindfulness practices have been shown to strengthen  the immune system, improve social relationships and reduce depression, and anxiety. Contact Harmony Wellness for consult.
    

6. Yoga reduces stress.
   Many people begin yoga to improve their flexibility, but they keep coming back because they find it  makes them feel so much better. The focus, centering, and breathing of yoga all help to reduce stress and can be the ideal antidote to a hectic modern lifestyle. This is another wonderful benefit of the mindful aspect of yoga. Contact Harmony Wellness for consult.
    

7. Yoga lowers blood pressure.
   Having high blood pressure is a serious medical condition, which is associated with an increased risk of both heart attacks and strokes. The relaxation and deep breathing of yoga can reduce high blood pressure even after the practice is finished. Contact Harmony Wellness for consult.
    

8. Yoga helps you to make healthier life choices.
   One of the great things about yoga is that it helps you to tune into what your body wants and needs. Many people find that the acceptance  and self-love that they practice on the yoga mat can have a profound impact to the way they treat their bodies off the mat, whether that is through improved activity levels, better nutritional choices or reduced reliance on alcohol or tobacco. Contact Harmony Wellness for consult.
    

9. Yoga improves breathing.
   The basis of yogic breathing practices lies in pranayama or yogic breathing techniques. These        techniques, which are integrated into the majority of yoga classes, can be amazing for restoring balance and vitality to the body and mind. Controlled breathing can increase energy levels and relax the muscles while reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. On a physiological level, regular yoga practice has been found to improve lung capacity and breathing both in healthy adults and those who suffer  from asthma. Contact Harmony Wellness for consult.
    

10. Yoga encourages your body’s natural healing process.
    The body has an incredible ability to heal itself. Yoga practice can be a wonderful way to create an environment that allows the body’s natural healing powers to kick in. The strengthening and    lengthening effects of yoga can improve mobility and function, helping the body to recover from  physical injury. And the benefits of mental health can lead to improved sleep patterns and enhanced  wellbeing, greatly improving your quality of life. Contact Harmony Wellness for consult.