With over 20 million yoga practitioners in the U.S. alone, yoga and its benefits have only grown in popularity through the years.  The meditation aspect of yoga helps the heart rate go down while providing relaxation those who practice yoga.  Yoga promotes flexibility and strength poses which can bring relief to back sufferers.  Various studies and research are now backing up what yogis have claimed for years about how practicing yoga can provide a variety of health and healing benefits.

Improve Back Pain

Yoga, which emphasizes stretching, strength, and flexibility, has been the subject of many studies that have shown that practicing yoga on a regular basis actually relieves back soreness.  With more of us being confined to sitting at a desk hunched over a computer all day, bad posture and the back pain that is associated with it has become an epidemic.  According to a recent study, people who take yoga or stretching classes are twice as likely to cut back on pain medications for their backaches as people who managed symptoms on their own.

Lose Weight

With more than one-third of adults in the U.S. considered being obese and the weight loss industry yielding an annual profit of over 20 billion, there are many people who are searching for ways to lose weight.  With yoga being a practice that one can implement into their workout routine on a regular basis at any size as well as start at any fitness level, it is a great way to burn a few calories.  Jen Cassetty, an American College of Sports Medicine certified health fitness specialist, states “Yoga is not a high intensity exercise, usually, but the classes run 75 to 90 minutes of continual activity, so your muscles are working the whole time, strengthening and lengthening…”.

Improve Your Mental Health

It has been reported by many practitioners of yoga that practicing yoga can be beneficial to your sense of self.  Many people use it as a type of therapy, a way to focus on breathing and being in the moment through holding each pose.  Addicts have also reported that yoga has helped them through the recovery process.  In a publication from Harvard Medical School, it was shown that studies reveal attending yoga classes or practicing yoga in your home reduce stress, improve mood, and reduce depression.  The evidence is growing that practicing yoga is a healthy approach to improving overall health.

Yoga has been around for thousands of years for a reason.  From people who are devout yogis and practice on a daily basis to those who are just trying to find a drug free alternative to fighting chronic back pain people can enjoy yoga for a multitude of health benefits.