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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.