by Bozena Hartley

Created on: November 06, 2009   Last Updated: December 29, 2009

Yoga is one of few exercise methods that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. While many other fitness programs are usually directed toward certain age groups, yoga does not have such restrictions. In fact, even children can benefit from it by achieving better physical posture, mind and body balance, and concentration. No wonder that yoga stood the test of time. Its benefits far exceed the physical fitness that many workouts are focused on.

There are different types of yoga, as well as different types of yoga products (like mats, blocks, or straps) that can be used to maximize the benefits of your exercise routine.

Here are the top 10 benefits of yoga that are important to physical, mental, and emotional health.

1. Stress relief

Yoga exercises and breathing techniques lower the levels of stress hormones, like cortisol, in your body. They also promote emotional balance. As a result, yoga will not only help you to reduce stress, but also prevent it and allow for better sleep and relaxation.

2. Pain relief

Yoga exercise can be very effective in reducing physical pains and aches of the body, including back pain. The poses that involve back bends and back twists strengthen the back muscles and increase flexibility of the spine and help to realign vertebrae and discs into their correct positions. The increase of fluid circulation to the spine allows for faster healing of damaged soft tissues.

3. Healing and preventing disease

Yoga is very helpful in natural healing by strengthening all of the body systems: immune, nervous, digestive, respiratory, etc. It helps to stimulate the organs and glands and improves their function and secretions, which results in their higher efficiency and eventually better health. It is known that yoga can slow down progression of such diseases as Alzheimer's and arthritis. It can also prevent certain heart and coronary diseases and osteoporosis.

4. Flexibility

Yoga improves flexibility of the joints and range of motion. Many yoga poses and yoga stretches are used by athletes during warm ups to prevent injuries.

5. Increased physical strength

Some yoga poses are designed to increase flexibility while others - resistance. When combined, they tone the muscles and help to build muscle mass and strength. Also, stretches that many poses involve cause elongation of the muscles, which makes them look lean. The longer you practice yoga - the more fit and toned your muscles will be without the added bulk.

6. Increased metabolism and weight loss

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