Many celebrities swear by the benefits of yoga, there are hundreds of hundreds of books written on the subject and the added bonus of being able to wear yoga pants as you go about your errands beforehand may make it seem like a great thing to do, but these aren’t the only reasons why you should think about unrolling your yoga mat.

As well as all of the wonderful side effects that yoga has, there are also some truly amazing and surprising health benefits which will give you all the more reason to start yoga sessions. From managing chronic pain to reducing asthma, the benefits that yoga offers are vastly unexpected. Yoga doesn’t just focus on one area of the body, but instead targets the whole body as well as the mind and spirit.

It Helps You Get A Better Night’s Sleep

It’s a well-known fact that taking part in regular exercise can help you to have a better night’s sleep, but if you struggle with maintaining a proper bedtime routine, then yoga is ideal. The focus of yoga is based on clear thinking, calm breathing and relaxation in order for the body to relax. For anyone who has issues falling asleep, then a few simple yoga poses before bedtime are sure to help you unwind and relax.

It Can Help To Fight Arthritis

For those who suffer from arthritis, they are likely to find that they have a very limited range of motion because of it. Because of this, many may feel as though yoga isn’t an option for them. In actual fact, many arthritis and yoga specialists recommend the use of yoga in order to treat or alleviate the symptoms of arthritis. When done correctly, yoga can help to rebuild flexibility, strength and balance which so many arthritis suffers may have lost. Yoga is all about gentle, slow movements, so over time symptoms may well subside.

Yoga May Help To Cure A Hangover

After a heavy night, the last thing you may want to do is to wake up and do some exercise, but it is suggested that yoga actually helps to ease the aches and pains often associated with a hangover. Doing certain yoga poses in the morning after a big night out can help to relieve any stiffness from falling asleep on the sofa, speed up your body’s natural process of getting rid of alcohol and can even encourage your liver to cleanse. Instead of reaching for sugary energy drinks and a greasy fry-up, try a few yoga poses first.

Yoga Can Help To Support Your Immune System

Although cold and flu season is well behind us, but there are still many harmful bugs around. The best way to protect yourself from these bugs and stay healthy is to give your immune system a well-needed boost. Whilst you may pop vitamin C tablets and fish oil capsules daily, thanks to yoga’s focus on breathing, it can help to maintain our respiratory system and work to improve our lung function. Doing regular yoga workouts can also massage vital organs, which also improves circulation and help to optimise the working functions of body parts which work so hard to keep us healthy. So, continue to take your vitamins and EPA fish oil supplements, but add in a few yoga poses too!

Yoga Can Relieve Stress and Anxiety

Yoga is frequently regarded as being a relaxing activity, but the benefits of doing yoga regularly can go way beyond the time that you spend actually practising yoga. Taking part in regular yoga poses and sessions can actually help to relieve any anxiety and stress which you may be feeling, thanks to the mind-body practice. With the combination of controlled breathing, meditation and physical activity, yoga works in lowering blood pressure and heart rate.