7 Ways a Regular Yoga Practice Improves Your Life

Although many of today’s “hip” yoga studios would have you believe that the practice of yoga is a status symbol that can only be earned through fancy equipment and apparel, the roots of this traditional form of movement go much deeper!

You don’t need expensive yoga wear or a membership to your city’s yoga studio – anybody, anywhere can experience the benefits of yoga through a simple, regular practice.

Here’s what this type of movement has to offer:

Benefit #1 – Improved mental clarity

According to a survey of Isha Yoga program participants, nearly 80% of students reported experiencing greater mental clarity after making a regular yoga practice part of their lives.

Just imagine what improved clarity could do for you…  Instead of fighting fatigue each morning with a double shot of espresso and a sugary donut, a few simple yoga postures could improve your mental function naturally, allowing you to perform better at work or in your personal projects (without the 2:00pm crash the aforementioned combination has to offer!).

Benefit #2 – Better sleep

Nearly all Americans wish that they could get either more sleep or better sleep once their heads hit the pillows.  And while a regular yoga program can’t guarantee that you’ll log more hours in the sack (that’s up to you!), it can go a long way towards improving the quality of the sleep that you do get by promoting a greater sense of internal calm and alignment throughout the body.

Benefit #3 – Increased energy levels

Often times, we perceive ourselves as being tired – even if we actually have vital reserves of energy being hidden below a layer of fatigue.  In yoga, there are a number of different postures and asanas that can be used to clear away this fatigue and allow more of our natural energy to flow to the surface.

Best of all, you don’t need to commit to an hour long yoga session every day to experience these powerful benefits.  If your yoga practice is targeted to focus on those poses that boost energy naturally, you can see significant improvements in your feelings of well-being in much less time.

Benefit #4 – Better stress management responses

Stress is something that we all have to deal with.  Whether your stress comes from a micro-managing boss or a family that seems to demand more of your time and energy than you have to give, too many of us are burning the candle at both ends and suffering because of it.

And while adding yet another “to do” item to your task list can seem daunting, making a regular yoga practice part of your routine can greatly improve the way you handle other stressors within your life.  The net result is a happier, more peaceful life – all made possible through the power of yoga.

Benefit #5 – Relief from chronic ailments

Of course, it isn’t just your energy levels that stand to benefit from the regular practice of yoga.  Making time in your day for this traditional form of movement can have a major impact on the symptoms you experience as the result of chronic ailments.

Surprisingly, the same study of Isha Yoga participants referenced earlier found that 68% of students experiencing back and neck pain reported an improvement in their symptoms, with 33% reducing their medications and 50% stopping medication for these conditions altogether.  Similar results were seen in students experiencing everything from asthma to headaches to fibromyalgia and more.

If you suffer from these or any other chronic conditions, practicing yoga can be a great way to manage your symptoms without relying on potentially toxic medications.

Benefit #6 – Greater sense of connectivity

When we practice hata yoga, we tap into something far deeper than ourselves.  Not only does yoga allow us to explore the limitless depths of our own psyches, it provides a greater sense of connectivity through movements that have been performed by generations of people.

The result of this newfound connectivity is a deepening of the interpersonal relationships we have with those at home, at work and in the community at large.  In a time of diminishing connections between people, this process is vital to maintaining society at large.

Benefit #7 – Greater joy in everyday life

If you were sleeping better, feeling less stressed and experiencing fewer symptoms of chronic disease, wouldn’t you be more joyful?

Perhaps one of the best benefits of a regular yoga practice is the sense of joy that accompanies it.  When you’re feeling healthy, tapping into the intelligence found within and acknowledging the connections between yourself and others, it’s only natural to feel joyful – improving your overall quality of life through a few simple, traditional movements.

What is your favorite part of your regular yoga practice?  Share your experiences and the way your life has been changed by yoga in the comments section below!