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How Yoga Affects Your Brain

Author: Piper McIntosh

Yoga has been practiced around the world for thousands of years. Even with endless studies and proven research, some still haven’t realized the true potential and positive health effects yoga has on your overall health and wellbeing. Sure we know that yoga helps with flexibility, balance, and strength but did you know it also has countless benefits that help your brain?

This is why we emphasis that yoga truly aids your mind, body, and soul. Yoga does affect our brains in a variety of ways and these effects can last long after you’ve completed your session. These positive effects can be seen at a variety of levels from beginners to intermediate yogis.

Both yoga and meditation have been proven to decrease stress, depression, anxiety, and more, which in turn, leads to an increase in happiness and overall quality of life. New studies and scientific research show that yoga also provides several neurological benefits and can even assist with neurological and cognitive disorders. Other benefits of yoga practice include improved immune function, reduced risk for migraines and heart disease, improved sexual performance and better sleep. 

With the growing list of benefits that yoga practice can provide for both weight loss and improved brain function, it’s no wonder this practice is growing more and more popular each day. Yoga has effects on the mind, body, and soul - which have amazing abilities that literally rewire our brains

Scientists continue to support their findings that yoga can change your brain. Working yoga into your daily routine will provide quick and noticeable results. This could also be the reason we are seeing an increased demand in yoga teaching programs. So, it’s no wonder over 2 billion people practice yoga around the world—the mental and physical benefits are abundantly clear to everyone immediately after their first session.

In addition to yoga practices being part of your overall health lifestyle, if you want to keep your mind, body, and soul at peace, don’t be afraid to utilize additional stress relievers. We suggest utilizing hemp oils, incense, and post-yoga massages since they’re great for days you are feeling overwhelmed or want to revive your muscles after a workout. With seemingly endless benefits, incorporating these suggestions into your post-yoga routine can assist in further relaxation, mindfulness, and stress-relief.

As we stated, yoga is becoming more and more popular and there’s no better time than now to start practicing this ancient routine. Professionals do recommend practicing yoga for at least 40 minutes a day a couple times a week to see more prominent and lasting results. Although, even just one yoga session can alter your mood and decrease stress levels. 

The continued practice of yoga will only increase your chances of improvements in your brain and overall mental wellbeing. Which is why we find yoga to be so important. There really are no bad outcomes from yoga if you practice safely and follow proper instructions. So, if you aren’t practicing yoga already, now is a better time than any to start.