5 Benefits of Morning Yoga

The practice of yoga has many benefits for you physically, mentally, and emotionally. Engaging in yoga poses can help you improve flexibility, strength, and balance as well as lose weight, build muscle, and connect your mind with your body. Spending some time in the morning practicing yoga brings these benefits to you first thing and helps get your day started. During the night as you sleep, your muscles are still and at rest. Yoga provides a way to stretch out those muscles and get oxygen and blood to them so you have more energy during the day. Practicing yoga poses can be therapeutic and can start your day gently by easing anxiety and stress. In this article, we look at 5 benefits of morning yoga that are at the top of our list.

Benefit #1: Gain Energy

As you sleep, your body is at rest but that doesn’t mean necessarily that you have the energy you need to face the day ahead when you awaken. Yoga requires you to move your body and through this motion, you refresh the oxygen going into your body’s cells. It is invigorating and can boost your energy levels, even though yoga can be a slow, gentle way to exercise. After doing several downward dogs or sun salutations, you will immediately feel fresher and more awake!

Benefit #2: Reduce Stress

Yoga is a meditative practice and, as such, can ease symptoms of anxiety and stress by inducing relaxation and a slower heart rate. A primary aspect of yoga is mindfulness, focusing on a slow, steady breath and being in the present. This exercise promotes a focus on the present moment, helping to guide thoughts away from anxiety and worry.

Benefit #3: Improve Flexibility

Flexibility is one of the most important, yet often overlooked, components of physical fitness. Without flexibility, the muscles and joints grow stiff and movement is limited. The stretches that are involved in yoga poses improve the flexibility of your muscles, ensuring that your body can move through its entire range of motion without pain or stiffness thus preventing injuries.

Benefit #4: Boost Your Focus

Yoga with conscious breathwork gives you a boost of mental focus and concentration. During yoga, your brain is getting lots of fresh oxygen that increases your mental clarity as you face the day ahead. The focus required in the breath and the poses in yoga sets the stage for your day so you can start your work prepared and function at your maximum capacity.

Benefit #5: Increase Positivity

No matter the hectic, full day in front of you, yoga establishes meditative time where you can breathe deeply and be grateful. As you focus on a positive attitude, your serotonin levels rise and you can feel lighter in a few minutes. Studies have shown that long-term yoga practice creates biochemical changes that support mental and physical health. People who incorporate yoga in their daily routine seem to be happier and there’s also an increase in their self-esteem levels.

Start Morning Yoga!

If we have convinced you to start morning yoga, you may want to get our professional instructors to help set up a routine that is appropriate for your individual needs. We can show you how to do poses properly and get the most from your practice. Check out our class schedule or call us for private yoga sessions at  919-971-1431.