These 10 Unexpected Benefits of Yoga Will Have You Hooked

Over the last few years, yoga has become one of the biggest trends. It’s no secret why – it comes with a ton of benefits, it makes you feel (look) sound, and it’s a fun way to exercise without feeling like it’s a chore.

With so many yoga communities, classes, and studios, we know yoga is here to stay. As more research is done on the benefits of yoga, more psychologists, doctors, and dieticians recommend including it in your day-to-day. A regular yoga practice can help balance your body and mind in ways you would never expect.

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The Goodies (Benefits)

You might already be familiar with the fundamental benefits of yoga – building strength, flexibility, and coordination.

However, there’s more to yoga. In this blog post, we’ll delve into some unexpected benefits of yoga that you might still need to hear about. Whether you’re trying yoga for the first time or a yoga practitioner, here are ten unexpected health benefits of yoga.

Let’s uncover all the beneficial goodies of yoga!

1. The Self-love Club

Yoga is like a secret recipe for self-love. Moving your body and being in harmony with your senses creates a safe space to feel comfortable with yourself. Through practice, yoga encourages a deeper connection with your body and its capabilities, helping you appreciate and respect yourself more.

2. Improves Fertility

Research shows that yoga can boost fertility by reducing stress and making you feel better overall. Stress can directly affect and complicate fertility – the good news is that yoga helps you relax and feel calmer. Some yoga poses can also improve blood flow to your pelvic area, supporting your reproductive organs and increasing fertility.

3. Balances Hormones

Ustrasana, or Camel Pose, is a great yoga pose for balancing hormones. When you do this yoga pose, it stimulates crucial organs like the thyroid and parathyroid glands inside your body. Yoga also reduces stress, which, in turn, can support a healthy immune system. If you’re looking for a seamless way to keep your hormones balanced and happy, it’s yoga.

4. Betters Zzz’s

You probably know that exercise can help you sleep better, but if you want to improve your bedtime routine even more, try yoga. When you do yoga, it activates the part of your nervous system that helps you relax, so you feel more at peace and less stressed. It also helps release tension in your body, especially in areas like your neck, shoulders, and back, which can keep you awake at night.

5. Cures Hangover (Phew!)

Admit it. We’ve all been there. If you have a hangover, doing yoga can be extra helpful. Yoga helps your body get rid of toxins faster and improves blood flow. Certain yoga poses, like stretches and twists, can help with the discomfort from a hangover. Yoga can also be beneficial in reducing feelings of nausea by practicing breathing exercises.

6. Goodbye Stress and Anxiety

Ah! Stress and anxiety. Two feelings we might be too familiar with. Research shows that practicing yoga can manage stress and reduce anxiety. Engaging in mindful activities that teach you breathing techniques promotes relaxation and a sense of calm. If you’re seeking stress relief, consider giving yoga a try.

7. Manages Chronic Pain

A National Library of Medicine (NIH) study found that yoga can help reduce chronic pain and can reduce stress as a mindful movement activity, Yoga makes your body more flexible and strengthens the muscles around sore areas, which is excellent for joint pain. When you practice yoga, your body releases endorphins – also known as the happy hormones – these hormones have the power to act as natural painkillers.

9. Better Metabolism, Better You

Yes, yoga can help improve metabolism. Certain types of yoga, such as dynamic or flow-based practices, can increase heart rate and stimulate the metabolic system. Yoga is a form of mindful movement that makes you feel less stressed and helps you sleep better. These two factors impact how your body burns energy, manages weight, and keeps a faster metabolism. 

10. Controls Menopause

Yoga can be highly beneficial during menopause as it helps you control many physical and emotional symptoms associated with this transitional phase. As part of your self-care night routine, gentle yoga keeps you relaxed, reduces stress, and may manage hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances.

The Breakdown: Unexpected Yoga Benefits

Yoga. Hot yoga. Hatha yoga. Kundalini yoga. Power yoga. Vinyasa yoga. Ashtanga yoga. You’ve heard it all.

Yoga improves the many facets of your life. It can benefit you in many unexpected ways. It supports your mental health, heart health (potentially reducing the risk of heart disease), can help with your flexibility and range of motion, and even can lower high blood pressure. With so many benefits, you’re ready to enjoy every single one. Happy yogi-ing!