Yoga benefits are widely known and are being increasingly documented and measured through science. Although it has been practiced for hundreds of years, it is only over the last few decades that it has started to have any kind of relevance in the Western world. That said, now that it is here, it is truly taking off. The reason is that what was once considered by Westerners to be a weird behavior of trying to tie yourself into pretzel-like knots has actually shown itself to be a gentle, relaxing practice that eases the body and mind and that provides a broad spectrum of very impressive benefits.

Yoga Benefits from Regular Practice

Although the number of advantages associated with practicing yoga on a regular basis would likely be too large to discuss in a single article, there are a few that often rise above the rest as appealing reasons to keep doing it over time.

Though many people experience yoga benefits from even a single practice, to truly enjoy what it has to offer it is best to practice it regularly. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll need to practice it every day, but several times per week is considered to be ideal for many healthy adults. Even once per week can offer steady improvements many people feel and enjoy.

Consider Some of These Advantages

The following are some of the top benefits to practicing yoga on a regular basis:

• A reduction in migraines – Research and participants, alike, agree that practicing yoga regularly can help to reduce the number and severity of these very painful experiences. This is particularly true when the exercises involve stretching poses of the neck, shoulder, and back.
• Improved flexibility – Improving flexibility not only helps to make everyday motions and tasks easier and more comfortable, but it also helps to reduce your risk of injury as you complete those activities, whether they involve reaching for something on a high shelf or completing a cardio workout.
• Improved balance – Nurturing and improving your balance as early as you can in life and maintaining it over time can reduce your risk of injury, particularly when it comes to the risk of tripping and falling.
• A reduction in back pain – A study in the Spine peer reviewed journal showed that people who practice yoga twice per week not only improves flexibility, but it also helps to reduce the experience of lower back pain.
• Improved libido – Some of the poses such as the "cobra" and the "triangle", which are focused on the muscles of the abs and the pelvis, have shown to improve the libido and provide a better experience in bed. In fact, this was shown in a study that was published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
• Better sleep quality – Many of the more relaxing poses, such as the "standing forward bend", particularly when paired with meditation, can help you to fall asleep more quickly and to obtain a better quality of sleep. This is particularly noticeable among people who are already experiencing sleep struggles such as insomnia.

How to Begin Enjoying Yoga Benefits

If you are considering practicing yoga for the first time, it is a very good idea to speak to your doctor first, to make sure that it is safe and appropriate for you in your current fitness level. It is also recommended that you learn your poses from a qualified and experienced instructor, so that you can be certain that you are doing them properly and avoiding the risk of injury.

It is tempting to simply use a video to learn poses for the first time, but the asanas have subtleties that newcomers to the practice don’t know to look for. It’s best to take a class or hire an instructor that allows beginners to benefit from the corrections and adjustments recommended by an expert. That way, you can feel confident that you are practicing with the right form while avoiding preventable injury.