Five reasons to practice YOGA!

Let’s face it there are a lot more than five, but if you find yourself hesitating to roll out your mat, take a read and you’ll soon be in Down Dog….  

1: It’s relaxing and promotes better sleep!

Life is full on, but the breathing practices, meditations and visualisation tools you learn in yoga help to quieten the mind. You’ll find it easier to switch off that frontal lobe of the brain that is usually chattering away and achieve a deep sense of inner calm. This will help to lower the stress hormones such as cortisol, lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety.You will also find the pranayama (breathing practices) help to promote a deeper sleep and will give you tools to help you fall asleep quicker and easier.

2: It boosts your immune system

Did you know that certain yoga postures help to stimulate the thymus gland which produces t-cells that help fight infection? It also stimulates the lymphatic system which purges toxins from the body. And yoga supports all the systems of the body – from the respiratory tract to the digestive system.

3: Weight management

You don’t have to jump up and down to lose the flab. Yoga is a wonderful way to help control the kilos by not only burning excess calories, but also reducing cortisol levels – which, if out of whack can lead you to reach for the cookie jar. Yoga also encourages you to adopt healthy eating habits and promotes well-being.

4: Improves muscle tone and coordination

Yoga postures will work all the muscles in your body, while simultaneously soothing away muscle tension. Yoga also brings oxygen-rich blood to all the cells of the body.

5: It makes you happy

If you do yoga with friends (and if you smile during your practice!) you’ll boost Oxytocin – the feel-good/love hormone. It will also encourage the flow of endorphins. And if you do a Yoga Nidra – you’ll finish off with a feeling of pure Santosha – or contentment.  

Tell me why YOU practice yoga! Love Katie 🙂