Benefits of Yoga

8 Reasons to Start Yoga

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Some practice yoga to become more mobile. Others to reduce stress, prevent injuries or increase body control. Here are eight good reasons to roll up the carpet!

Yoga aims to promote energy, balance, flexibility, strength and inner peace through physical and mental exercises to achieve good physical and mental health.

Alexandra Etterbrand is a trained yoga therapist. She was introduced to yoga in the 90s, but only a few years later, after a difficult period in her life, she decided to fully invest in yoga training.

- Yoga helps me be more present in everyday life. It has helped me focus on my inner physical and mental resources, resulting in a more balanced and harmonious life. Yoga has taught me to listen to my body, says Etterbrand, who today teaches Mediyoga at High Yoga in Oslo.

According to Etterbrand, everyone has something to gain from practicing yoga.

There are many misconceptions about yoga, but the amazing thing about this form of exercise is that it is suitable for everyone, regardless of age, gender and physical condition. Etterbrand explains that it's a form of exercise where it's all about what's good for you, and all exercises can be tailored to specific needs, injuries and ailments.

The benefits of yoga are undoubtedly numerous and new research reports are constantly coming out to confirm it. Here are some of the benefits that you get from doing yoga regularly.

1. You become more present.

It is easy for all of us to start thinking too much about what has happened or what will happen in the future. Both in life and in our thoughts, we are bombarded with events and activities every day, making it difficult to focus on the here and now. In yoga, we focus a lot on breathing and synchronizing movements. Complete presence and concentration are required to succeed and tackle difficult exercises and movements. With yoga, you therefore train the ability to "own the moment".

2. You get better digestion.

The twists you take during yoga exercises stimulate the transport of food through the body. Just as a tight back needs massage to relax, the intestines need massage to move food through. Digestion is affected by both the way you walk and the way you breathe. The deeper you breathe, the easier it is for your body to get rid of food. Rest is also important for digestion. When we are stressed, the body prioritizes digestion because it thinks we are in danger.

3. You become stronger and more flexible.

 Yoga movements and postures involve the whole body. Through both static and dynamic exercises, you build strong core muscles, which help improve posture and balance and reduce the risk of back pain. Yoga also helps you develop and improve your mobility. The strength and flexibility you build through regular yoga results in an active and fit body with a reduced risk of stress injuries.

4. Yoga is good for the heart.

In a 2014 study, researchers found that people who practiced yoga were less likely to develop heart disease than those who didn't exercise at all. This is thought to be because yoga induces stress-reducing changes in the autonomic nervous system. In general, research shows that yoga increases blood circulation and lowers blood pressure, which in turn reduces the risk of blood clots.

5. You focus more.

If concentration is at its peak, we have an easier time learning new things, acquiring new information, and performing tasks and daily tasks more efficiently. Yoga is mostly about controlling both our physical and mental life. Since yoga is an activity that requires full concentration, it helps in strengthening the ability to concentrate. Research shows that as little as eight weeks of yoga can improve focus and motivation.

6. You become more satisfied.

 Through yoga, you can get to know yourself better and become more aware of your needs and limitations. As one becomes more inwardly focused and realizes that perfection is not the goal, self-esteem will gradually increase. A flexible, strong and less stressed body also helps in strengthening self-esteem. Research also shows that yoga stimulates the vagus nerve in the body, and a well-functioning vagus nerve can make us calmer, more relaxed, and safer when we interact with others.

7. Yoga reduces stress. 

Stress is something we all experience from time to time, but over time stress can negatively affect our physical and mental health. A lot of research has shown that yoga is an effective way to deal with stress. By promoting relaxation, yoga helps lower levels of stress hormones, like cortisol. When we breathe deeply and slowly into the stomach, the parasympathetic nervous system, the autonomic nervous system, is activated.

8. You sleep better.

We sleep better when we are less stressed, and we are less stressed when we sleep better.Physical activity and relaxation help maintain this healthy cycle. Studies show that yoga can improve sleep quality and quantity in people who struggle with insomnia. By deepening and lengthening our breaths, we lower the level of stress hormones in the blood.

Wondering if yoga might be for you? Here you will find an overview of selected exercises to help you become more flexible and get down faster.