Staying in shape can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. There are some days you’re just not feeling it and would rather stay at home in your sweatpants than sweat at the gym. Consistency is the most important factor in staying in shape and the key to working out regularly is finding something you enjoy. For many people, running on the treadmill or lifting weights just isn’t enjoyable enough to keep workouts consistent. So what can you do to keep yourself accountable? Give yoga a try.
Yoga can be a great way to start your fitness journey or to supplement what you’re already doing. There are so many different types of yoga practices that it’s perfect for anyone who’s wondering how to stay in shape or how to feel more relaxed. Let’s take a look at how yoga can help with overall fitness and the mind-body connection.
Doing Yoga is Great for the Mind, Body, and Soul
One of the best reasons to try yoga is that it’s more than just exercise. It’s great for the body, mind, and soul. Yoga can increase flexibility and strength and provide a great workout, if it’s one of the more cardio-heavy variations. But it can also help to stabilize mood and improve mental health.
Mental illness is very common—about one in five young people have a mental health condition and fewer than half receive treatment. People of all ages can gain mental health benefit from yoga. Many practices emphasize the mind-body connection and help people feel more centered and in control.
Release Stress and Feel Good with Yoga
One of the reasons that mental illnesses like depression are on the rise is the amount of stress most people in the United States are under. Stress is almost expected, but it can have a huge negative impact on our health and well-being. Fortunately, yoga can often help.
Relaxing the mind and thoughts through yoga practice helps the body calm down and promotes well-being. Yoga often involves a focus on breathing techniques, which can be very effective in reducing stress. Stretching and moving the body while focusing on breathing and the mind-body connection can be a great stress-reliever.
There’s a Yoga Class for Every Need
One of the reasons yoga has become more popular in the last ten years is that there’s truly a class for every level and every need. There’s hot yoga for those who want to really sweat and get a great workout. There’s restorative yoga for people who want to relieve stress, relax, and stretch out. There are also practices in between these extremes to stretch and strengthen all areas of the body. Yoga for runners, chair yoga for those with mobility or wrist issues—the list goes on. The point is that just about anyone can benefit from yoga, and it’s a good idea to try out a few different types of practices to find what works for you.
Yoga Empowers You and Teaches You Life Skills
It may sound strange, but yoga can actually help teach you life skills, not just help you to stay in shape. By learning to create a positive mindset and a calm and collected attitude, you can live a happier, healthier life. Yoga is about so much more than moving your body, and learning the principles of yoga practice can benefit you in other areas of your life.
Many people who start to practice yoga go on to become yoga teachers because they find it so fulfilling and skill-building that they want to share the practice with others. Teaching yoga can help you improve your leadership skills and strengthen your character. You’ll be able to build emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills that will serve you well in your personal and professional relationships.
Countless Reasons to Do Yoga
If you’re trying to figure out how to stay in shape, you can’t go wrong with yoga. It’s versatile, safe, provides lots of variety and keeps things challenging, and can be done anywhere. It’s also a great way to cross-train for runners and weight lifters. And beyond the physical perks of yoga, you’ll unlock the mental health benefits as well. With a regular yoga practice, it will be easier to get in and stay in shape, lose weight, and improve your attitude, optimism, and vitality every day.
