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Practiced for over 7000 years, it is clear that yoga benefits people in numerous different ways. People in the west first became aware of yoga's benefits in the 1970s, but it has recently enjoyed a major surge in popularity, becoming a staple offering of almost every gym and health club in the country.
Although there a wide variety of styles offered, with the various classes varying in intensity and spirituality, overall the main yoga benefits are experienced whichever type of class you take. These include:
- Increased flexibility and joint range of motion increase
- Improved posture
- Increased muscular endurance
- Increased strength
- Increased energy levels
- Weight loss
- Improved sleep
- Reductions in chronic pain
- Improved balance
- Decreased pulse rate
- Improved breathing
- Lower blood pressure
- Improved cardiovascular efficiency
- Improved gastrointestinal function
- Improved breath awareness
- Increased lung capacity and improved breathing patterns
- Improved health and function of internal organs
- Stress relief
- Greater relaxation
Of course, as with any activity, to get the most from it you have to practice regularly - simply doing the occasional session won't help. For most people, the minimum is one session a week - if you can practice two or three times a week you will progress quicker and start to feel much more of a difference.
Whether you are looking for a relaxing way to get in shape or a more spiritual experience, this is a wonderful activity that will improve both physical and mental well being.
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