Calling all yogis—even the beginners! From helping you build lean muscle mass and improve flexibility to mental benefits and improved focus, yoga has something for everyone. Even more research has now shown additional benefits of this popular exercise that countless celebrities love!
For starters, it can benefit your heart. While not thought of as a cardio work out, yoga can be just as useful to your heart health as biking or brisk walking. Research has found that both cardio and yoga tend to cut BMI, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and heart rate—the four key markers of heart health.
So if that alone doesn’t make you want to jump on the yoga band wagon, maybe these three other benefits will.
1. It can quench your food cravings. Do you ever wonder why yogis never seem to gain weight? It’s most likely because this type of exercise helps teach you mindful thing skills, like breathing. This can be applied to your eating habits as well. Mental willpower paired with a calm mind and steady breath can help you say no to that delicious donut calling your name.
2. It benefits your immune system. Raise your hand if your immune system kind of sucks? I’m with you there! But practicing yoga for just two hours can already benefit your body. Your genes start to change, and flips on your 111 genes that help regular your immune system. You can compare this exercise to other calming exercises like walking, reading, or listening to music.
3. It can help put migraines to rest. Have killer headaches or migraines? Join the club. But if you commit yourself to at least 3 months of yoga practice you can have a more peaceful mind. Research proves migraine patients experienced fewer episodes—and the ones they did have were less painful. Try this morning yoga routine to start your day off on the right foot!
Even if you’re a newbie to yoga, these moves are the best to use in your routine. And if you need a yoga mat, use one of these.
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