Yoga

Lately I've been really interested in starting a yoga routine, not only for my overall health, posture and flexibility but maybe it will also help my anxiety levels. Lately my anxiety has been kind of high. On a scale of 1-10 I'd say I'm a 6-7 right now. I'd love to be down to a 2-3. So this is just one of the things I have thought about starting to help with my anxiety levels. They have yoga classes at our local YMCA. I think I am going to start trying to attend one or two classes a week. I would love to be able to find someone to go with me. Since the Y provides childcare it wouldn't be hard at all for me to go. 

Here are a list of health benefits of yoga:

1. Flexibility - yoga stretches not only your muscles but ALL the soft tissues of your body. (Ligaments, tendons, etc.)
2. Strength - practicing a more vigorous form of yoga (ashtonga or power yoga) will help improve your muscle tone. When practiced correctly nearly all yoga poses nearly all poses will build your core strength in your deep abdominal muscles.
3. Posture - With better core strength you are more likely to sit and stand correctly.
4. Breathing - Because of the deep mindful beathing of yoga, lung capacity often improves.
5. Less Stress - Meditation, deep breathing...yoga lowers levels of hormone neurotransmitters. This creates a feeling of calm.
6. Heart - Yoga benefits our heart! Yoga lowers blood pressure and heart rate. This can really benefit people with heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.
7. Other benefits - Memory, energy levels, back pain, arthritis, asthma, etc! 

So basically, it looks like you cannot go wrong by practicing yoga. I am very excited to start this journey and I will keep you all updated on my progress in this area. 

Want to know more about yoga benefits? Click here. 

Have a blessed day!