LIFESTYLE NEWS - As part of levelling up my New Year’s fitness plans, I decided to add yoga to my weekly training programme.
The popularity of yoga is on the rise but there are still many people who don’t quite know the different types or the benefits.
I would watch classes from a distance and note how slow the movements were and how people would sometimes hold certain positions for extended periods.
As a runner, cyclist, swimmer, and hiker, I at first felt that yoga was too slow for me. But 2019 has started on a different note. I have decided to give yoga a fighting chance.
I often stretch during and after my regular training but having attended my first two yoga classes this year, I now realise that I could benefit from stretching a lot more.
I visited my gym’s website to check which yoga classes they offer. I chose strength vinyasa yoga and have surprisingly enjoyed the two classes that I have attended so far.
The class was fairly easy for me and enjoyable for someone like me who loves challenges. I will certainly be attending this one on a weekly basis. After each of the two classes that I have attended so far, I immediately realised how I was walking a lot more upright and taller and my muscles were feeling long and stretched.
So let me share some yoga knowledge.
Physical benefits of yoga
- Increased flexibility and mobility.
- Improved muscle strength.
- Relieves chronic pain (especially lower back).
- Stress relief.
- Improved lung capacity from breathing techniques.
- Weight reduction.
- Improved physical performance.
- Improved sleep.
- Improved blood circulation.
- Improved mental capacity.
