Yoga For Your Health

There are many different reasons for doing yoga. Connecting with our inner self, reducing stress, enjoying “personal time”… and to get that tone yoga body! If yoga is new to you, you may just think of it as stretches. Several friends of mine have said this to me. However there’s a lot more to yoga than you may think. If shedding some extra weight and keeping it off sounds like a good benefit, then taking some yoga classes is your best bet. Here’s why:

1. If you have motivation issues, like myself, once you get in class, you’re committed! Most classes are 1 - 11/2 hours long and yes, you do have the option of leaving, but why would you want to waste your money? Compare that to exercising on your own, where you can stop at any time. Of course you should practice safely and take breaks when needed, but being surrounded by everyone else pushing through it is great motivation to continue.

2. When you do yoga you’re working your muscles and doing cardio at the same time. Forget sweating your ass off at the treadmill, then grunting your way though lifting heavy weight. Yoga is the all-in-one workout. When you have more muscles, you actually burn more calories when you’re resting!

3. The stretching also elongates your muscles, which, no joke, contributes to a leaner physique. Once you’ve done yoga for a while you can feel the difference in your posture. You seriously will “feel” taller once you get the hang of stretching your spine.

4. Quicker results in fewer workouts has been my experience. If you practice 2 -3 sessions a week for a month, you WILL see and feel results like you never have before if this is your first yoga venture. The heart-pumping and toning postures have that effect. Just make sure you take a somewhat challenging class for your level and always listen to your body to avoid injury.

5. Finally, you need to watch what you eat. If you go home after yoga and eat half a pizza, you’re not doing your mind or your body much good. Giving up your favorite unhealthy foods can be a tough challenge, but yoga can help you with this. Part of the package is uniting both the mind and the body. By setting your intensions before, during, and after your workout, your body will actually crave foods that are good for it.

Need some help to get started with yoga? For starters you’ll need a extra thick yoga mat and yoga bag. Also look for free classes in your area.