Especially when facing the sometimes-punishing workouts of a gym or the demands that running and other cardiovascular activities can put on one's body.
For many, yoga has become the exercise preference of choice to avoid such demands while still reaping health benefits. The practice has been around for more than 5,000 years, with the word "yoga" being derived from the Sanskrit word "yuj" – meaning the unification of one's body, mind and emotions.
"The benefits of yoga are far-reaching and have been shown to impact both physical health outcomes and mental health outcomes," says Maren Nyer, PhD, the director of Yoga Studies at Massachusetts General Hospital and an assistant professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School.
What are the main benefits of yoga?
Such benefits are numerous and include stress relief, increased flexibility, improved balance, connection to a health-minded community, higher levels of energy and boosted heart health. "Because yoga relaxes you, it can also result in better sleep, which means more energy and brighter moods," adds Brett Larkin, a certified yoga instructor and founder of Uplifted Yoga.
In terms of other physical health benefits, yoga has also "been shown to help alleviate suffering from inflammation in chronic inflammatory disorders and a variety of physical conditions including arthritis, sleep, cancer, Parkinson's disease and high blood pressure," says Nyer.
Does yoga shape your body?
The practice can also make a noticeable difference in one's physical fitness and shape. For instance, yoga's slow movements and deep breathing have been shown to increase blood flow to warm up and strengthen muscles. Various poses target one's musculoskeletal system, further helping with tone and core strengthening. Holding yoga poses can also increase physical stamina and growth of targeted muscle groups.
