If there’s one thing that you should know about me it’s that I’m a huge fan of yoga, particularly hot yoga. After practicing for several years, I’ve been able to experience how yoga has been able to transform my body and my mind.

For those who are looking to lose weight and incorporate more movement into your daily life, I can’t recommend yoga enough. It’s an excellent practice that’s easy to get started. 

With that said, here are some ways yoga can benefit your mind and body, with hopes that it will encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and experience the power behind the practice, too. 

Who can practice yoga?

As with anything new, yoga may seem to be a bit intimidating at first. Maybe you’re struggling with figuring out whether it’s right for you or not, or maybe you feel that you don’t have the strength or flexibility you think it requires.

One of the greatest things about yoga is that it’s something everyone can practice! Whether you’re an athlete, haven’t moved in years, or are recovering from an injury, it’s a practice for people of all ages and active backgrounds.

How yoga can help you

Contrary to popular belief, yoga goes far beyond stretching. It has benefits that can help improve your physical strength, your mental health, and so much more. Here are some of the things yoga can do for you.

Improve flexibility

Whether you choose to partake in hot yoga or non-heated yoga, the practice will improve your flexibility. 

One of the reasons why a lot of people may be apprehensive to try yoga is because they think they aren’t flexible enough to do the practice. 

This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Your flexibility and endurance will grow as you grow in yoga. It comes with time and shouldn’t shy you away from starting! 

It builds strength 

Even further than flexibility and stretching your body, yoga is going to help you build strength. A lot of the exercises, poses and flows require you to hold your body weight. 

As you continue to practice yoga, you’ll start to see some toning and muscle build all over your body in areas like your arms, legs and core. So, not only is it a great way to build your flexibility, it’s also an amazing exercise for your muscles. 

Increase heart rate

Our heart health is such an important aspect of our lifestyle. Yoga, more specifically hot yoga, adds a cardiovascular element to the practice that will increase your heart rate. 

Oftentimes, we tend to get our cardiovascular activity through more high impact movement including running, swimming, aerobics and more. But, when you start getting older, you realize some of those movements aren’t as friendly to your body as they once were.

With yoga, you can reap its cardiovascular benefits without having to do high impact movements, a perfect option for those who are looking for something more joint-friendly. 

It reduces stress and anxiety

We’re all familiar with the importance of breathing especially when it comes to moments of high stress and anxiety. One way you can look at yoga is as a form of self-care. 

As you’re practicing yoga, you’re looking inward, paying attention to your body and your movement along with your breath. In those moments, nothing else matters, you can let go of the outside world, and focus solely on you. 

It’s a great way to sharpen your mind and alleviate some of the anxiety and stress that may be weighing you down. Not to mention, the way you feel after a yoga session is truly unmatched. 

It’s approachable

Getting your feet wet in any new activity is never easy. We often have a lot of limiting beliefs that prevent us from wanting to start. 

While all yoga studios may do things a bit differently, they understand that we all have to start somewhere. There’s often a class out there for everyone no matter how much or how little experience you have. 

Try taking a look at the local yoga studios near you to learn about the types of classes they offer. You’ll most likely find that their classes range from more beginner level classes to more intermediate levels, giving you ample space to grow.

Step outside of your comfort zone

As you can see the benefits of yoga are endless. Want to strengthen your mind, body, and feel a sense of community? Yoga is the exercise to try. 

If you’re located in the Johnson city, Tennessee area looking for an excellent introduction to the practice, visit Real Hot Yoga studio, owned by yoga instructor and my friend, Kristy Haynes. There are also several locations in the southeast and northeast areas where you can find a Real Hot Yoga studio near you on the website! 

If you’re looking for more ways to get closer to your fitness goals, I’m here to help. Book your FREE discovery call with me here to learn how we can work together. As always, don’t forget to tune in weekly to my podcast as I share more advice that’s going to help you live your happiest and healthiest life.