For over 10,000 years people have been practicing yoga around the world. So, what makes yoga such a popular activity? Why is it that everyone from a traditional doctor to naturopaths swears by its effectiveness? The answers are hidden in the myriad of various health benefits that are offered. Everyone, from children to adults, can benefit from yoga in some way.

To mark the significance of practicing yoga, United Nations along with various countries across the world celebrates 21st June as the International Day of Yoga.

If you are curious to know about the usefulness of practicing yoga, read the following top health benefits of this activity.

Strength and Flexibility

There are many postures in yoga that involve stretching the body in specific ways. This increases your muscle tone as well as your flexibility. Additionally, it can strengthen your joints and increase the overall range of motion that you have.

Management of Pain

There is no question that if you spend long hours in front of the computer or have a long trip, severe back pain may result. This occurs due to the spinal cord and muscles tightening up. This problem can be alleviated with the use of yoga as it will help to increase the flexibility in your muscles and lubricate your joints. Additionally, when done over an extended period of time it can improve the alignment of your spine.

Weight Loss

One of the most popular reasons that people practice yoga is that it provides an excellent method of natural weight loss. This simply means that you will be able to lose any excess fat from all areas of your body without any harmful side effects.

Improved Breathing

When you take up yoga it can improve your breathing. The breathing for yoga is considered as Pranayama breathing and is a type of controlled breathing. This involves taking deep breaths, slow exhales and long pauses. When you breathe like this it can help clear nasal passages, strengthen the nervous system and treat asthma and sinus problems.

Joint Lubrication

There are several different yogic postures that can improve the lubrication of your joints, ligaments, and tendons and increase their overall flexibility. Yoga is the only type of exercise that will improve both your internal organs as well as your external body and stimulate them to work in a more efficient and healthy manner.

Treatment of Chronic Diseases

The techniques used in yoga are immensely powerful. They can rev up all the different parts of your body and help to reduce or eliminate the presence of chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, hormonal imbalances, and asthma, to name a few.

Detoxification

Yoga provides a natural way to rid your body of toxins that are present. The combination of controlled breathing and various exercises help to flush the toxins out of all the different areas of your body, providing you with a feeling of being refreshed.

Yoga can help alleviate all sorts of health problems and produce a revitalizing effect on your entire body. It can help you to improve your lifestyle.

If you are planning on practicing this activity, it is good to purchase the right workout gear. Select only quality workout gear that will help you enjoy yoga and make you feel comfortable while doing it. Be sure to look at the sizing options to find the right yoga gear for your needs.

If you start practicing yoga on a regular basis, you can reap all the benefits mentioned above, and more. Be sure to learn the proper way to do the exercises so you do not get hurt or any adverse effect.