Top Three Reasons Why Everyone Should Do Yoga

Yoga is for everyone. It doesn't matter if you are overweight, not flexible, guy or girl, young or old. The point of yoga is not to be perfect. And you don't have to try and get your foot to stay behind your head. The beauty of yoga is that there is a variation that will work for anyone. While most think of yoga as a physical activity, it also helps you reconnect with yourself, easy the mind and let go of all the built up stress.Here are my top 3 reasons why you should drop the excuses and just do Yoga!

Yoga is a great workout!

There are different styles of yoga and different levels. If you are new to the practice, start slow and ease your way into it. Find a beginner class or practice within the comfort of your own home. There are some great at-home yoga programs for beginners. Be sure to check out my Top 5 Yoga for Beginners Guide to find the yoga program that best suits your goals. Yoga focuses on balance and strength. You'll learn how to use your core muscles to maintain balance and build up strength. Yoga will help you build strong, lean muscles. Have you ever noticed how yoga instructors have a great body?! You will too! With Yoga, you are using your own body weight to build muscles and increase your strength. Not only is yoga great for building up lean muscles but it will also improve your flexibility. If you are not flexible to being with, it's ok. We all have to start somewhere. The different stretches and positions will stretch your body and improve flexibility.

Yoga Will Help You Relieve Stress

Imagine all the stress you accumulate from the day flowing out of your body. We all find different ways to deal with stress but yoga could very well be the healthiest and most effective method. Yoga uses a number of relaxation techniques that work together to make you calmer. Yoga targets both physical and mental stress relief. Unlike other workouts, yoga emphasizes using both the mind and body. Yoga encourages you to relax and clear your mind. In doing so it helps to lower the levels of corisol, a stress hormon found in the body. We all know the toll stress can have on the body and immune system. With yoga, you can see benefits such as lowering your heart rate, improving digestion and even boosting the immune system!

Yoga is Great for Weight Loss!

Believe it or not but yoga can help you lose or maintain your current weight. But remember how we said that yoga help reduce chronic stress and can lower anxiety? Well that in turn will help you crave less junk food! Studies have shown that stressed people have a habit of eating more calories dense foods. We said that yoga lowers the levels of the stress hormon cortisol. Well, Cortisol is also a hormone that makes your midsection a magnet for belly fat storage. With yoga, you will also get a better quality of sleep! Researchers have found that regular yoga practice is linked to an overall better quality of sleep. Sleep deprivation has been linked to weight gain. Poor sleep leads to decreased levels of the hunger-supressing hormon, leptin, making it much more difficult to risist those high calories foods!

How to get started with Yoga?

Don't over think it. Yoga is very simple and anyone can participate. Make you know the basics. If you are not sure what to expect then be sure to check out my Beginner's Guide to Yoga. In this ultimate guide, you'll find out my top three tips for beginners, what to expect and how to prepare. The yoga program that I always recommend to beginners is Kris Fondran’s Shape Shifter Yoga you can learn more and read a full review of the yoga program here.

What to Wear to Yoga Class?

Yoga is all about comfort and relaxation. My perfect yoga outfit is a pair of yoga pant that allow my body to move freely. Don't wear anything too tight or constricting. The idea is to have movement freedom and flexibility. I recommend checking out Yoga Outlet for ideas on the perfect yoga outfit, you might even find something you love! The yoga tops that I recommend are tops that hug your body. Tight but not to the point that it's uncomfortable. Keep in mind that one of the most common yoga positions is Downward Facing Dog, the last thing you want if your shirt going over your head. The best advice I can give about choosing a yoga outfit is to wear something that you are comfortable in and not self-conscious about your body.I can't think of a good reason not to start practicing yoga! From workout to stress reliever and weight loss! I can't think of another workout that has such great qualities. Yoga truly is for everyone and if you are not sure which style of yoga is right for you, check out my Top Beginner Yoga Programs before joining a class.