Yoga is incredibly beneficial to our overall well-being. Even though the scientific research into yoga’s benefits is still somewhat preliminary, much of the evidence so far supports this. In this blog, Inner Yoga Training, the best yoga teacher training in Bali will be telling you about 10 yoga benefits as well as the science behind them. So, let’s get started.

Improved Flexibility.
Flexibility is an important component of physical health. In our 100 hour yoga teacher training in Bali, we offer many styles to choose from, varying in intensity from high to moderate to mild. Even the lowest intensity styles have been found to increase flexibility. Yoga seems to be especially helpful for improving flexibility in adults ages 65 and older. As per a 2019 scientific study, it has been found that reduced flexibility is a natural part of aging, and yoga can slow down both loss and can improve flexibility in older adults.

Bust your stress.
Guess what, Science supports that yoga, and especially asana, is excellent at reducing stress. Physical practice is just one aspect of yoga. Meditation, breath work, and auditory rituals, like chanting and sound baths, have also been shown to significantly lessen tension and relieve stress.

Get a mental health boost.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is thought to be one of the most common mental health disorders in the world. Both movement-based yoga therapies and breathing-based practices have been shown to significantly improve depressive symptoms.

Reduce inflammation.
Often, the precursor to illness is chronic inflammation. Heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and many other conditions are linked to prolonged inflammation. A scientific review study examined 15 research studies and found a common result: Yoga — of various styles such as those taught in our 100 hour yin yoga teacher training in Bali, intensities, and durations — reduced the biochemical markers of inflammation across several chronic conditions.

Increase your strength.
While most people associate yoga with stretching and flexibility, some types of yoga classes can also be considered strength-building. It just depends on the class level, approach, and teacher. This makes yoga asana a multimodal form of exercise. Yoga’s effectiveness at building strength has been studied in several specific contexts for instance, as it pertains to people with breast cancer, older adults, and children. Another study conducted on air force personnel found yoga to be an effective strength-building practice across many age groups of healthy participants.

Relieve yourself from anxiety.
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America recently stated that anxiety disorders may be the most common mental health disorders in the United States. There are a number of different anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and specific phobias. Even chronic stress can sometimes be categorized as an anxiety disorder. Numerous studies suggest that yoga asana may be effective as an alternative treatment for anxiety disorders, though several of the researchers request additional replicated studies before conclusively stating as much. Yoga Nidra, which is a body scan/guided meditation, has been shown to conclusively reduce symptoms of anxiety.

Improve the quality of life with yoga.
The World Health Organization defines quality of life (QOL) as “an individual’s perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns”. Some factors that affect QOL are relationships, creativity, learning opportunities, health, and material comforts. For decades, researchers have viewed QOL as an important predictor of people’s longevity and patients’ likelihood of improvement when treated for a chronic illness or injury.

Boosts immunity.
Chronic stress negatively affects your immune system. When your immunity is compromised, you’re more susceptible to illness. The research is still evolving, but some studies have found a distinct link between practicing yoga (especially consistently over the long term) and better immune system functioning. This is due in part to yoga’s ability to fight inflammation and in part to the enhancement of cell-mediated immunity.

Improves balance.
Balance is not just important when you’re trying to stand on one leg in Tree Pose in yoga class. It’s also essential for simple everyday movements such as picking something up off the floor, reaching up to a shelf, and descending stairs. Yoga has been shown to improve balance and overall performance in athletes. Likewise, a review of the research conducted on healthy populations suggests balance may improve for most people after consistently practicing yoga.

Improved cardiovascular functioning.
Pranayama, often referred to as “yogic breathing,” is an important and beneficial aspect of yoga. One key takeaway was that yogic breathing can improve the functioning of several systems in the body. And that’s why we make our attendees do it regularly during our 100 hour yin yoga certification course in Bali. Specifically, the research summarized in the review found that the cardiovascular system benefited mightily from controlling the pace of breathing, as evidenced by favorable changes in heart rate, stroke capacity, arterial pressure, and contractility of the heart.

Enrol for a lucrative yoga teaching course at Inner Yoga Training. Visit https://inneryogatraining.com/ for more information.