Top 10 reasons to start a YOGA practice today

For all the people avidly and religiously practicing yoga, there are still many who think they have to bend into a pretzel to benefit from yoga, or who don't fully understand the benefits reach much farther than they realize

Here's 10 reasons why YOU should start a yoga practice( as usual,consult with your physician before starting any exercise practice)

1) The "stress" factor. With the bombardment of stimulation from electronics, crowds, traffic and the hustle and bustle of daily life, yoga provides us with much needed down time. It teaches relaxation, relaxes the nervous system and offers us a quiet time to turn inward. It is extremely restorative.

2) It helps release the build up of chronic tension that we get from too much time on phones, computer and in chairs. All those tense shoulder and hand muscles, even face muscles, can now have their time to open and relax.

3) Flexibility. A huge reason to to start a yoga practice! If you used to be able to put your hands flat on the floor and now they barely reach your knees, that is simply tight muscles from lack of use. Think about it. You have let your body lose what it rightfully should be doing. You can reclaim your flexibility--It was yours to start with, get it back and enjoy it. Tight hamstrings can even lead to back pain, As you feel a gradual loosening from your practice, you will stand taller and most likely many aches and pains will subside.

4) Get the blood flowing. Improve your circulation. Twisting and bending poses boost the oxygen to the tissues and cells.

5) A regular practice can lower blood sugar and LDL(bad cholesterol) as well as raise HDL(the good cholesterol) . Any form of exercise does this.

6)The spiritual dimension of a yoga practice can be life changing. It can encourage you to adopt lifestyle changes in all areas: eating, stress reduction, and mindfulness. Yoga can also deepen ones feelings of spirituality , or connections with God, or source. It can make you learn to work through your feelings with a calm mind and help you reduce anger by increasing feelings of love and compassion. It can give you a quiet strength and confidence to face any challenge that may arise.

7)Yoga and meditation teach deep breathing. Deep breathing calms the
parasympathetic system, and in turn, can reduce stress .

8)Yoga philosophy emphasizes equanimity and compassion as well as awareness. You will often find a new outlook when dealing with others , or perhaps want to make more time to volunteer , and a solid yoga practice can improve your relationships by helping you learn to take only what you need and give more. Serving others will bring a calm smile to your face. It's Karma.

9) Yoga improves your balance. Better balance means fewer falls of course and as people age, falls can turn into major complications. Think about it. How do you want to be in your 60's, 70's 80's and beyond? In a wheelchair or walking the beach.

10) Yoga is non-competitive. You do not need to get a ball over a net, in a hoop or jump the highest or swim the fastest. Your yoga practice is individual and everyone should look different in each pose. Even each day, your poses will look different. You can ask yourself, what am I feeling today? What can I do today that is best for my body? Some days it may be a short and vigorous practice. Others a long and slow one. Some days more standing poses, others seated.

It's YOUR practice. Seize it, enjoy it, benefit from it and love it as you should with anything that can make you feel so alive, so glorious, so open and so free!