As most of you may know, yoga is very beneficial to our bodies and our overall health. The initial purpose of yoga is to create strength, awareness, and harmony in your mind as well as your body. There are many different kinds of yoga but anyway you choose to do it, it is so worth it. Yoga helps relax the body, loosen stressed muscles, gain flexibility, increase muscle tone, helps to maintain a balanced metabolism, and many, many more effects.
Here are a few of my favorite yoga poses and a brief description of why it is beneficial to your health when you actively participate in these yoga activities.
Downward-Facing Dog
If you have been an active member of doing yoga or if this is the first time you’re reading up on it, you will most likely know what this position is. The best way to remember this pose is to see it as an upside down ‘V’ with your body. As far as benefits go, the downward facing dog has multiple: stronger hands and wrists, decrease in back pain, decrease in headaches, increased full body circulation and lastly decreasing anxiety. Can this honestly get any better?
Child’s Pose
The Child’s Pose helps stretch the hips, thighs, and ankles while reducing stress. It gently relaxes the muscles on the front of the body while softly and passively stretching the muscles of the back torso. YES PLEASE!
Cobra Pose
The cobra pose is a well-known yoga position and is very helpful to reach that relaxation stage. It stretches muscles in the shoulders, chest, and abdominals, it decreases stiffness in the lower back, it strengthens the arms and shoulders and it also increases flexibility. A great exercise for all around your body.
Upward-Facing Dog
The upward-facing dog is the opposite of the downward-facing dog but is also a great position to improve posture. Besides posture, it also helps by stretching your anterior spine, stretching your chest and lungs, shoulders and abdomen. And once again, just like the downward-facing dog, the upward-facing dog helps relieve depression and anxiety.
One Legged Pigeon Pose
If practiced on a regular basis, this pose will stretch the groin, abdomen, chest, shoulders, neck, and thighs. It also revitalizes the immune system and helps with digestion problems.
If you are looking for an exercise or just something to add to your daily routine that provides multiple cases of improving the body, its muscles, and strengthening your well being, this is for you. Yoga is one of the best exercises for your body and if you really push yourself, it will come fast and easy.
Feature image via Carl Barcelo on Unsplash
