Unlocking The Top Three Benefits of Practicing Yoga

With brands like the currently trending Alo Yoga, and the longtime classic Lululemon constantly making headlines and appearances via social media, the buzz about yoga is always ongoing—it's not just for hippies and the 'woo-woo' crowd anymore. After all, who doesn't love an adorable matching yoga set, but beyond the cute fits, there are countless benefits to actually incorporating yoga into your wellness routine & lifestyle.

Whether you're a seasoned yogi or just curious about this ancient practice, there's more to it than meets the eye. So, grab your water bottle and your most buttery soft leggings, because we're about to explore the top three benefits of incorporating yoga into your life.

Flexibility Beyond the Mat

Let's debunk a myth right off the bat—no, you don't need to twist yourself into a pretzel to benefit from yoga. Sure, improved flexibility is a perk, but the benefits extend far beyond touching your toes. Yoga empowers us to embrace flexibility not only in our bodies but also in our minds. As we flow through poses, we learn to adapt, adjust, and find comfort in discomfort—i.e. we learn to embrace hormesis. Hormesis is a phenomenon in which exposure to a low dose of a stressor on the body induces a beneficial effect. Essentially, it's the concept that 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger'. A 2008 study examined the concept of hormesis in the context of exercise-induced oxidative stress, and found beneficial adaptive responses in the body, including enhanced antioxidant defences and improved cellular repair mechanisms. Not to mention, we could all benefit from a little added flexibility beyond the yoga mat IYKWIM.

Mindfulness in Motion

Nowadays, many of us are constantly on the go, so finding little moments of stillness and peace can feel like a luxury. Yoga offers us just that—a space to pause, breathe, and tune inwards. Sometimes, this feels like something that we crave, and other times it feels as almost impossible to pause and tune into our bodies. Nonetheless, the benefits of engaging in mindfulness are endless, as described by Dr. Andrew Huberman, Professor of Neurobiology at Stanford University in this episode of his podcast, it can improve our focus, consciousness and expand our mind. Through mindful movement and focused breath work, yoga cultivates our ability to be present in the moment and have more awareness, connecting with the rhythm of our bodies. This heightened awareness can empower us to navigate stress and anxiety with more ease and confidence.

Strength from the Inside Out

While the mindfulness is a major benefit—yoga, especially specific types such as power yoga, is a full-body workout targeting all the muscles in the body to sculpt and tone. By engaging muscles, stabilizing joints, and supporting proper alignment, yoga helps to develop functional strength and improve overall body awareness. According to research, human beings may lose about 3-8% of their muscle mass per decade after the age of 30, and this rate of decline may increase after the age of 60, making yoga, and any type of muscle strengthening regiment a key component for well being as we age.

So, regardless of your level of experience with yoga, hop into your favourite matching set and embrace the stillness, improved flexibility, and strength that yoga has to offer.

Namaste 🕉️.