The Benefits of Adding Yoga to Your Fitness Routine: Part 1

Good things come to those who wait—Left Coast Fitness is so excited to bring back yoga starting in June! 

To show our members just how much we value adding yoga to your regular fitness regimen, the first class is on us. We will start with Yin/ Restorative classes and have a plan to add flow classes if the member interest is there. Watch for a survey about best days and times for yoga so we can put it into your regular routine.

Many people ask: if I’m already exercising for fitness or muscle development, why should I add yoga?  Glad you asked! 

Here are a few reasons it’s important to add yoga to your regularly scheduled workouts.

There are many different kinds of yoga practices, so it is possible for anyone to start. From absolute beginners to professional athletes, size and fitness levels do not matter because there are modifications for every yoga pose.  The idea is to explore your limits, not strive for some perfection—that’s why it’s called a practice.

It is a great way to get in tune with your body and your inner self.

Yoga helps to develop strength, balance, and flexibility.

Many of the poses build upper-body strength; standing poses, especially if you hold them for several long breaths (remember “Breath” from the six Foundational Principles of Health?), build strength in your hamstrings, quadriceps, and abs.

Some poses strengthen the lower back, and when done right, nearly all poses build core strength in the deep abdominal muscles.

Yoga poses work by stretching your muscles: they can help you move better and feel less stiff or tired.

Some styles of yoga are very physical; practicing one of these styles will help you improve muscle tone, but less vigorous styles of yoga can also provide strength and endurance benefits.

At any level of yoga, you'll probably start to notice benefits soon. In one study, people improved their flexibility by up to 35% after only 8 weeks of yoga.

Yoga can benefit heart health. Regular yoga practice may reduce levels of stress and body-wide inflammation both of which contribute to healthier hearts. 

High blood pressure can also be addressed through yoga; yoga has long been known to lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate. A slower heart rate can benefit people with high blood pressure or heart disease, and people who've had a stroke. Yoga has also been linked to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and better immune system function.

Yoga can ease pain and improve mobility in people with low back pain, and many doctors recommend yoga as a first line treatment for chronic low back pain.

Yoga usually involves paying attention to your breath, which can help you relax. Some yoga styles use meditation techniques that help calm the mind. Focusing on your breathing during yoga can do that, too.

Yoga can also relax you to help you sleep better—a consistent bedtime yoga routine can help you get in the right mindset and prepare your body to fall and stay asleep.

Stay tuned for  Part 2—why Yin/ Restorative yoga?