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In my efforts to maintain a balanced and healthy life, I am now making it a point to attend Yoga classes. Consider it a New Year’s resolution on top of those that I had made earlier. Now, I’m neither a very flexible bloke, nor am I very active one. Given the choice, I rather lie flat on my back rather than bend myself out of shape (hence one of my favourite poses in Yoga is the Corpse’s pose, where you lie on the floor like so much dead weight :D). So why then is Yoga beneficial for me (and everyone else for that matter)?

Now before we broach the subject further, let me first address a common misconception about Yoga. When people hear the term Yoga, the first thing that pops to mind is medidation, trance, spiritual enlightenment, and a host of other things that would be in conflict with whatever religious background that you may have. That’s kinda hogwash if you ask me. Granted that Yoga requires you to clear your mind and do some meditation, but that doesn’t mean that it is religious in nature. Do it with an open mind and understand your intentions, and I don’t think that anyone can have anything to say about it that would make it wrong.

I’ll be honest, I don’t like Yoga. My strongest reason for participating is because WL likes it. No, I’m not being forced into it but yeah, she does influence the decision :P Having said that, there are obviously other reasons for me to pick it up.

Yoga for flexibility. As I said earlier, I am not a very flexible bloke. But I intend to remedy that because being flexible has its benefits. You might not think of it much but being flexible (to some extent) is what allows you to bend down and tie your shoe laces. Being flexible is what helps you reach that cookie jar on the top shelf. At the end of the day, being flexible allows you to do more with your body. Think about it ;)

Yoga for toning. Yes, Yoga helps to tone the body. I’ll tell you now that holding those damned poses is no easy feat! It takes quite a bit of strength and control. The poses in Yoga are well researched and most of them target specific body parts, training it, strengthening it, and ultimately toning it.

Yoga to work those lazy muscles. Usually after a Yoga session, I find my body aching in places that I didn’t even know existed (yeah, I’m exagerating but it feels like it). There are more than 630 muscles in the human body and a large proportion of them tend to be neglected in our daily routines. Even though we don’t use these muscles (much), they are still important (why else would they exist?). These muscles become stiff over time and disuse. Yoga targets and activates these muscles.

Yoga for relaxation. Yoga teaches you to relax. Throughout the day, our body winds up like a spring. Yoga allows you to unwind each individual muscle. The different poses in Yoga stretches the muscles and releases the pent up tension. Ever wonder why you feel refreshed after taking a deep breath? Its the oxigen talking. Yoga teaches us better breathing techniques and practices that helps supply your body with much needed oxigen.

Yoga for better posture. This goes without saying. When you train your body, the muscles that are awakened will start to do their job of holding your body in better posture. Stronger and more flexible back and hamstring muscles mean that you stand and sit straighter. Shoulder muscles and traps hold your shoulder blades wide and chest out. Good posturing, means that all the muscles in your body are working in tandem and at an optimum level. That means you are less likely to become fatigued. Bad body posture is the main cause for back aches, muscle strains and pains.

I am merely scratching the surface on the benefits of Yoga. The best way to find out what it can do for you is to try it for yourself. Not just once or twice, but for a longer period, say a month or two. When you begin to realise your limitations and start to see the results of your efforts, it will motivate you more to continue. Your body has been working hard for you. Isn’t it time that you did something for it in return?