International Day of Yoga - 21st July

Why is yoga important?

Yoga improves strength and stamina, tones muscles, builds immunity and teaches one to lead a yogic life. Yoga as a practice provides many benefits for physical and mental health, growth and healing. Yoga works wonders in reducing joint pain and muscle or back pain.

Benefits of yoga

1. Yoga improves strength, balance and flexibility.

Slow movement and deep breathing increase blood flow and warm the muscles, while holding the pose can increase strength.

Try it: Tree Pose

Balance on one foot, while keeping the other foot at a right angle to your shin or above the knee (but never at the knee). Try focusing on a spot in front of you while balancing for one minute.

2. Yoga helps in relieving back pain.

Yoga is just as good as basic stretching for reducing pain and improving mobility in people with low back pain. The American College of Physicians recommends yoga as a first-line treatment for chronic low back pain.

Try it: Cat-Cow Pose

Get on all fours, placing your palms under your shoulders and your knees under your hips. First, inhale as you allow your belly to drop down toward the floor. Then, exhale, as you pull your navel toward your spine, arching your spine like a cat.

3. Yoga can reduce the symptoms of arthritis.

According to a Johns Hopkins review of 11 recent studies, gentle yoga has been shown to help ease some of the discomfort of tender, swollen joints for people with arthritis.

4. Yoga benefits heart health.

Regular yoga practice can reduce stress and inflammation levels throughout the body, thereby keeping the heart healthy. Many of the factors that contribute to heart disease, including high blood pressure and excess weight, can also be addressed through yoga.

Try it: Downward-facing dog pose

Stand on all fours, then press down on your toes and bring your sit bones up, so you create a triangle shape. Slightly bend your knees while lengthening your spine and tailbone.

5. Yoga relaxes you, which helps you sleep better.

Research shows that doing consistent yoga before bedtime can help you get in the right mindset and prepare your body to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Try it: Leg Raise up the Wall Pose

Sit with your left side facing a wall, then slowly twist to the right and lift your legs up and rest on the wall, keeping your back on the floor and your sitting bones against the wall. You can stay in this position for 5 to 15 minutes.

6. Yoga can mean more energy and a better mood.

After engaging in a yoga practice routine, you may feel increased mental and physical energy, increased alertness and enthusiasm, and fewer negative emotions.

7. Yoga helps you manage stress.

According to the National Institutes of Health, scientific evidence shows that yoga supports stress management, mental health, mindfulness, healthy eating, weight loss and quality sleep.

Try it: Corpse pose (Savasana)

Lie on your back with your arms outstretched, away from your body, with your palms facing up. Try to clear your mind by taking deep breaths. You can keep this pose for 5 to 15 minutes.

8. Yoga connects you to a supportive community.

Attending yoga classes can reduce loneliness and provide an environment for group therapy and support. Even during one-on-one sessions, loneliness is reduced because the individual is acknowledged as a unique individual, listened to, and participates in the creation of an individualized yoga plan.

9. Yoga promotes better self-care.

Scientific Research on the Benefits of Yoga

The US Military, the National Institutes of Health and other large organizations are listening and incorporating the scientific recognition of the importance of yoga in health care.

Numerous studies show benefits of yoga in arthritis, osteopenia, balance issues, oncology, women's health, chronic pain, and other specialties.