Improve Your Health in Multiple Ways Through Yoga

Yoga has become an essential part of our modern lives as more people turn to it for relaxation and good health. Yoga is an ancient Indian practice that dates over 5000 years into the past. The word yoga means “something that brings you in touch with your reality”. In general, yoga combines breathing techniques, physical postures and relaxation or meditation. Considering the world's fast-paced lifestyles today, many people do not have time to exercise and relax. Yoga has become one of the easiest ways to enhance body health as well as improve brain health. It is a popular way to exercise and meditate. Modern yoga may be different from ancient yoga. It has evolved to focus on flexibility, breathing, strength and exercise. This boosts both mental and physical wellbeing. Considering that there are numerous types of yoga, you need to choose an appropriate class that suits you.

Benefits of Yoga

There are several great reasons to give yoga a shot. Most people feel the benefits after only a few sessions and then watch as they continue to grow. Benefits include: 

1. Good for heart health - Yoga addresses problems that cause heart disease, including excess weight and blood pressure. It also improves the circulation of blood in the body.
2. It reduces stress - This is one of the primary reasons why yoga is practiced widely today. It reduces stress and sometimes depression by promoting relaxation.
3. Can reduce pain and inflammation - Yoga involves stretching and flexibility exercises that help in reducing pain. It improves mobility in older people and reduces inflammation.
4. Promotes better sleep quality - Yoga is useful to improve sleep, especially for people with conditions such as depression, high blood pressure and obesity. Yoga allows you to feel well-rested.
5. Improves flexibility and balance - Yoga poses are essential in improving the balance and flexibility of individuals hence improving performance.
6. Improves your overall quality of life - As said earlier, yoga has become an essential part of the modern lifestyle. Research has shown that people who practice yoga are always full of energy and have good moods.
7. Improved breathing - Yoga has special exercises such as pranayama that teach how to control breath. Also known as yogic breathing, it involves a number of techniques and exercises that improve breathing.

Types of Yoga

There’s several different types of forms of yoga that people enjoy taking part of. While they offer similar basic benefits, there are differences. Some of the forms of yoga include: 

1. Hatha yoga - Hatha is a general term used to describe the other different styles that are physically oriented. It is a word that comes from Sanskrit words for the moon and sun.
2. Kundalini yoga - This type of yoga was introduced in the west around the late 1960s. Its name means 'life force energy,' and it focuses on eliminating negative thinking and reducing stress as much as possible.
3. Vinyasa yoga - This is one of the most common types of yoga. It is also known as flow yoga. Its poses involve the movement of the body while synchronizing it with breathing. It is a form of meditation while moving.
4. Iyengar yoga - This type of yoga was named after its founder B.K.S Iyengar. Developed in India, it became popular in the west in the 1970s. Multiple equipment is needed to perform this style of yoga including benches, chairs, walls, blocks, bolsters, straps etc.
5. Ashtanga yoga - This is a more physical form of yoga that contains six levels of specific poses. One can learn the next pose after mastering the previous one.
6. Bikram yoga - Bikram yoga is similar to ashtanga yoga since it involves a set of series that are performed in a specific order. It is known as hot yoga because it has many rules.
7. Prenatal yoga - This is an excellent form of exercise for pregnant women. It focuses on relieving pain caused by pregnancy.
8. Restorative yoga - This is a type of yoga that helps the body relax. It involves props used to do a handful of poses that aid in brain health and reduce stress.

Equipment to Get Started

To benefit from yoga, everyone needs access to the right equipment. Modern yoga studios have all the necessary accessories to fulfill fitness needs. This said, below are a few items that are necessary for yoga.

1. Yoga Mats - These provide a comfortable non slip base. 
2. Yoga pants and top - Proper apparel ensures comfort during yoga. 
3. Blocks and Straps - Stability is crucial when working on yoga. 
4. Temperature control - Yoga in the cold is no good. Many people enjoy hot yoga at very high temperatures. 
5. Exercise ball - Some poses can use an exercise ball. 
6. Environmental effects - Some calm or meditative music helps and some essential oils in the air can improve the yoga experience.