Yoga (noun): a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which, including breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practiced for health and relaxation.

 

Why should you practice yoga? Here are 5 reasons:

1. Improve Your Sleep

A few yoga poses and movements are actually intended to be done right before bed and studies have shown that doing light physical activity before you go to sleep can help you fall asleep more quickly, which typically leads to a much better quality of sleep.

 

2. Improve Your Posture

Yoga is great when it comes to developing proper posture. The breathing and seating positions require a straight back for proper effect. The more you practice, the better your posture will become and having proper posture will become second nature.

 

3. Improve Mental and Physical Strength

The point of yoga is to work on your body’s strength so you are able to sit longer while meditating. The physical investment in stretches and poses pushes your body to become stronger and more flexible, making meditating more comfortable. The breathing exercises force you to focus and to clear your mind, helping alleviate stress and improve your overall mental health.

 

4. Improve Your Breathing

A huge part of yoga focuses on breathing, aka, the pranayama. If you have asthma, yoga is a great way to help open your lungs and explore what it means to breathe consciously. After practicing for a while, you will breathe like you never have before.

 

5. It’s a Great Workout

Yoga is a great workout because it pushes you to leave your comfort zone, all while adapting at your own speed. Yoga poses stretch your muscles, increases your range of motion, and improves overall health.

 

At the Women’s Resource Center, we offer yoga at our Manatee and Sarasota Centers. 

 

Power Yoga | Manatee, Tuesdays, 8:15-9:30am. Fee: $5

Gentle Yoga | Manatee, Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30pm. Fee: $5

Intermediate Yoga | Manatee, Saturdays, 9:00-10:00am, Fee: $5

All Levels | Sarasota, Mondays, Tuesdays & Fridays, 9:00am-10:30am. Fee: $5

WRC Yoga classes are open to all! Bring a mat, other yoga instruments you may have, and get ready to leave feeling relaxed and focused.