Physical fitness refers to a state of health and well-being and the ability of the body system to work efficiently to perform activities of daily living. Likewise, mental health controls our emotional, social, and psychological balance. Both physical and mental health are interlinked and complement each other in the case of being healthy.
Yoga is an ancient art form that considers physical, mental, and spiritual practice. Those who desire a healthy life should practice yoga for physical fitness and mental peace.
Does practicing yoga improve physical fitness?
A research by the Obesity Research Center at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital, New York, N.Y., USA proved that more than ten minutes of sun salutation pose can improve physical fitness with cardio-respiratory health. Other physical fitness benefits of yoga include:
- Improving muscle strength, balance, and flexibility
- Back pain relief
- Can ease arthritis symptoms
- Some yoga exercises are designed to improve cardiac activity
- Yoga gives a lot of focus to breathing patterns that help to gain better respiratory health
- With a proper diet and lifestyle yoga helps to weight loss
- Tone-up muscle
- Some face yoga techniques are triggers to produce collagen and give younger-looking skin
- Sculpted glow skin and slows down aging
Does yoga support mental health?
Yoga helps to release “feel good” chemicals in the brain like dopamine and serotonin, which work as mood boosters and help stay stress-free.
- Relieve depression
- Reduce stress
- Calm anxiety
- Treat insomnia or help to have sound sleep
- Maintain a mental focus
- Mood booster
Conclusion
A healthy life is one where an individual can have mental peace and stay free from the stress of health issues. Yoga is a healthy practice that combines physical fitness and mental health through breathing tactics, meditation, and stretching poses. More than 100 yoga poses are available but before practicing any advanced poses, expert’s vigilance is necessary to avoid any intense yoga injury.
