1. IT HELPS US TO REST AND REDUCES STRESS

Our level of stress and daily activation means that many times we can not rest. If this is your case or even if, despite sleeping, you wake up tired, try doing yoga because one of the most rigorous studies, conducted at Duke University, discovered evidence of the benefits of yoga to treat sleep disorders.

Your postures to stretch and relax muscles, along with coordinated breathing exercises that help lower your heart rate, prepare you for sleep. If you add meditation to this, you already have the perfect tandem to ensure a good rest.

A study by the University of Ohio (USA) published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine revealed that, when subjected to intense stress, the bodies of yogis respond with less intensity than those who lead a sedentary lifestyle or in front of those who practice another exercise. physical.

2. YOGA REDUCES INFLAMMATION

Yoga can be a natural solution for inflammation. A study by researchers at Ohio State University, conducted with two yoga groups, one regular yoga practitioner (who practiced once or twice a week for at least three years) and another of novices, found that regulars had levels in blood much lower than IL-6, or interleukin-6, a marker of inflammation , than those in the group of beginners. When the two groups were exposed to stressful situations, those in the more experienced group showed smaller peaks of IL-6 than the novices.

3. STRENGTHENS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

There are several studies that suggest that yoga can strengthen the body’s natural ability to protect itself from diseases , not only because of its good effect on the respiratory and digestive systems, but also for a two-hour program of gentle yoga, with meditation and breathing exercises, alters the expression of dozens of genes related to immunity in blood cells, directly to DNA.

4. PROTECT AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR BACK

This may be one of the most well-known benefits of yoga and one of the reasons why many begin to practice it . It is enough to know seventeen postures of Viniyoga, an easy-to-apply style that combines movements and breathing, to end chronic back pain, especially if it affects the lower back, as one could read in a study published in Annals of Internal Medicine Participants in the research not only noticed the anesthetic effects of the exercise but, after a few months of practice, regained the ability to execute movements that months ago caused them excruciating pain.

To make matters worse, Taiwanese researchers scanned the vertebral discs of a group of yoga teachers and compared them with those of healthy volunteers of similar age. They discovered that the discs of the yogis had less evidence of the degeneration that occurs with age. The scientists pointed out that it has to do with the way in which the spinal discs are nourished and that the movements of flexion and extension can help to get more nutrients through this outer layer to the inside of the discs, keeping them healthy.

THE BACK PAIN EPIDEMIC AND THE BENEFITS OF YOGA TO “ATTACK”

Considering that back pain is already considered epidemic (between 60% and 80% of the population complains of back or lumbar pain), yoga can be a good therapy. In fact, an investigation by the “Group Health Research Institute” in Seattle involving more than 200 people with back pain who were given yoga class with stretches, presented less pain and more mobility for several months. Do you need more proof of the benefits of yoga for your punished back? Give him a joy and cheer up!

5. TAKE CARE OF YOUR JOINTS

We athletes tend to worry about the muscles and forget about the joints, until they hurt us, we injure ourselves and finally the pain and inflammation of arthritis. By doing yoga properly, with fluid movements, without repeated impacts, with balanced postures that reinforce the muscular groups and the skeleton and with control of breathing, the joints do not suffer, on the contrary, they remain flexible and strong, especially the ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, etc., that suffer so much when running, pedaling, swimming, lifting heavy weights or making intense efforts without heating well.

THE BENEFITS OF YOGA TO LUBRICATE JOINTS AND REDUCE STIFFNESS

The yoga asanas help to keep the complex joints lubricated, formed by tissues such as cartilage, with little blood supply, to which few nutrients and oxygen arrive and it is difficult to moisturize, nourish and recover, especially when aging. There are already studies that have proven that some of the most popular yoga series such as the sun salutation that is repeated a minimum of 3 times each morning when getting up, is able to keep the main joints lubricated, and help to regain mobility and avoid the pain and stiffness during the rest of the day.