This article was published on March 24th, 2018

Over the last few years, no workout craze has had the popularity of yoga, in all its forms. Not only has research shown the physical benefits along with the mental benefits, but the brilliance of yoga is that it can be practiced by people of all ages. Yoga is excellent for all around fitness and for many it is an expression of life and your mood at the moment. It involves postures and breathing techniques that are meditative as part of a holistic fitness package that addresses several areas of health.

Yoga has the ability to:

• improve physical strength
• elevate mental strength
• prevent injuries
• detoxify the body
• reduce stress
• aid in weight loss
• improve immunity
• increase flexibility

As a practice many consider personal, and some even spiritual, there are a plethora of yoga studios popping up in cities everywhere to address individual’s physical, mental, and emotional requirements. Since there are no age requirements for yoga, one of the first rules to remember is that yoga is more than a series of poses. Yoga is a process that simultaneously elevates mind, body, and spirit. When you are peace with yourself and your surroundings, it is easier to be at ease and participate in an effective yoga routine.

To get started, enrol in a class taught by a certified yoga teacher that can take you through the various poses and breathing techniques. This will ensure that you maintain proper posture and avoid injury. Your teacher should be fun, professional, intuitive, and a great motivator to keep your interest piqued.

If you’ve been away from the yoga lifestyle for a few months or longer, you may want to ease yourself back into it, possibly adapting to a new form of yoga. The important thing to remember is to start out slowly and concentrate on the areas you are more interested in to keep your spirits up. If you make time for yoga on a regular basis, sticking to a new program is easier to execute and attend long-term.

There is a wide spectrum of yoga types to consider, so no matter what your goals are, or your physical capabilities, there is a type out there able to help you accomplish them. Start out with slower, more basic Hatha yoga, and pick up the pace with a faster, more intense Vinyasa yoga, or opt for a high-endurance hot yoga session that will have you feeling the burn. Once you find your flow, you will maintain a connection with yoga to elevate your inner and outer core.

At the end of the day, yoga is about balance, and with an infusion of exercise into your life. A yoga class will improve your social circle, elevate your dopamine levels, and reintroduce you to yourself.

Namaste.