Yoga, so much more than exercise: Benefits at a glance!

Yoga has numerous benefits to physical and mental health. Regular yoga practice can help address back pain caused by tight muscles or poor posture. Yoga practice has also been linked to lower blood pressure, stress reduction, and a stronger immune system. This list recognizes the most commonly known benefits of a regular yoga practice:

More flexibility
Lower blood pressure
Increased muscle strength and tone
Balance your metabolism
Help protect you from injury
Weight regulation

These are awesome benefits. And, Something special happens when you do yoga. When you connect with your breath, you are connecting with your life force (prana). And when you connect with your prana you are connecting with your soul. This is some of the magic that happens within your body! But, before we get all woo woo and lose you, where yoga really goes above and beyond as a modality is in the neuroscience.
Let’s talk about your bodily systems:

Yoga can help take your joints through their full range of motion. What this means is that your joints are being used in a low-impact setting, keeping them from drying out and causing pain and inflammation.
A well rounded yoga practice with forward bends and back bends can help protect the spine and keep the disks supple.
Better circulation, especially in hands and feet
Drains your lymph system and boosts immunity. When you contract and stretch your muscles and organs you help increase drainage to the lymph system, which helps fight infection and improve cellular function
Regulates your adrenal glands and lowers your cortisol levels. Cortisol. You’ve heard of it! You know what causes it. STRESS! We all know yoga is a great stress reducer!
Lowers blood pressure and LDL (bad) Cholesterol while boosting HDL (good) cholesterol
Calms the nervous system
Greater lung capacity for easier and deeper breathing. What happens when you breathe deeply? This oxygenates your blood which releases endorphins into your blood stream.
Endorphins reduce stress and pain in the body.
Increased parasympathetic response.
Activate the relaxation response in your body more easily
Reduces pain by transforming the bodies response to pain
Struggling with addiction? Many yogis come to yoga to aid in their recovery. Yoga helps give you coping methods for depression, anxiety, mood and disorders.

More about the Science of Yoga (and Meditation) here:

If you have questions about a specific health condition, please speak to your instructor before each class as you meet new teachers.
Listen to your body, and never force or strain during your practice.