Ulyses
Like most people, you’re probably spending a lot more time at home due to COVID-19, which is why it is the perfect time to take up yoga.
So, whether you’re looking to start a new fitness regimen, a stress reliever, or increase your focus, yoga is a perfect choice according to yoga teacher, Jolene Cherry. Studies have shown that yoga can reduce stress and anxiety levels by lowering cortisol levels, leading to a happier life.
The best part is that you don’t even have to leave your home for quality yoga classes! A quick search will reveal hundreds of online free courses across a wide variety of styles – from a more holistic approach to a focus on fitness.
Below, Jolene Cherry shares five reasons why you should try yoga now:
1. It Calms You
Many people use yoga as a form of meditation because of its calming effects. Yoga helps you to clear your mind and focus on things, which can make you feel relaxed and rejuvenated.
Because it increases your ability to concentrate, this can help in other areas of your life, too, as you’ll be more likely to block out negativity in your life and make healthy choices.
2. Better Breathing
Breathing is at the core of yoga. It is integral that you take slow, careful breaths and focus on your breathing while practicing it.
Because breathing is almost always an involuntary action, paying attention to it can help you connect to the rest of your body and pay more attention to it. This allows you to recognize your strengths and limitations.
3. Increases Your Flexibility
Of course, yoga also increases your flexibility. Because most poses are stretches, practicing yoga gradually allows you to stretch out your muscles and joints.
Over time, you will be able to perform certain poses and movements easier than before, and increasing your flexibility can lead to less overall pain and risk of injury.
However, it is essential to remember to take it easy at the beginning – yoga may look easy. Still, if you attempt a pose or stretch that is too advanced, it can cause a lot of harm instead of acquiring quick results. So, start slow and increase it gradually over time for optimal results.
4. Strengthens Your Body
There are two ways yoga can strengthen your body: physically and mentally.
Each yoga post has a different purpose. Some of them are meant to stretch, which can build resistance and increase your flexibility; some of them, like the dolphin push-ups, is intended to build your muscles; and overall, yoga poses reduce stress and anxiety, leading to better mental health.
Enhancing your general physical and mental health can also increase your immunity, thus decreasing your chances of getting sick.
5. Makes You Feel Great
Lastly, improving your physical and mental health will leave you feeling great, which most people need at a time like this. While it can’t fully replace the experience of gathering with loved ones and going out, you can still join streamed classes that can somewhat replicate that, and work on yourself, so you’re ready when the quarantine ends.
6. Regain a Relaxed Mind
In a modern world, it can be very hard to find time to relax and regain balance. Yoga is the perfect exercise for this, however finding time for longer sessions can be difficult. It is important to realize that making free time in your life is invaluable to health, home, and hapiness. Some examples of ways to improve that situation are putting away your gadgets for a set period of time, hiring out some of your chores like yard work, home maintenance, and especially cleaning. By giving yourself a few extra hours a week to focus on yourself, your life and relationships will inevitably improve.
About Jolene Cherry: Jolene Cherry is a passionate yoga instructor and personal trainer is dedicated to helping clients reach physical fitness and harmony in life. Her background includes international training in Thailand as well as Hawaii. Jolene also is a guide for healthy nutrition to strike a perfect balance in your life.
