Have you heard claims that practicing yoga makes one happy and lowers stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms? Well, it's all true. According to Harvard Health, people who practice yoga are 20% more likely to have a positive view of their own physical and mental health. These are impressive statistics — so how precisely can a discipline like yoga endow us with such wonderful benefits?

Release of Endorphins

What are endorphins? Endorphins are sizable peptide groups that our bodies release from the pituitary gland and the central nervous system when we exercise. Yoga requires moving your body into various positions — some of which are more difficult than others. As a result, endorphins are released, making you feel good and improving your view of life. Endorphins are released whether you are practicing a slower, more gentle, or quick and powerful flow, making you feel good and more optimistic.
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Mindset Exercise

Yoga isn't just a physical exercise; it's also a mental exercise. It unites the body, mind, and soul. Yoga can boost your mood by reducing stress and establishing a strong mind-body connection. The mind is truly quite strong, especially when it comes to positive thinking. Many other advantages, including improved general health and happiness, come along with this renewed optimism.

Relaxation

You'll experience anxiety and stress slowly fading away the more that you practice yoga. This leads to relaxation and positivity. You have a lot more time to concentrate on the things that make you happy when your thoughts won't be preoccupied with worrying about things that are out of your control. Regular yoga practice is such a potent tool for increasing happiness and reducing stress and anxiety — both of which are so prevalent in most people's lives nowadays.

Meditation

​Yoga involves more than just physical activity and asanas. It has everything to do with your body and mind becoming still, which enables you to connect with your inner self. Meditation is the best strategy for achieving serenity.

Give yoga a try if you'd like to feel happier. The practice relieves the mind of unneeded emotional baggage and releases its positive energy. Even one practice will likely make you happier and more optimistic.

It's never too late to start doing something good for your body. There are many ways that you can improve your health and fitness without taking on a rigorous exercise routine or strict diet. One of the best things that older adults can do is practice yoga regularly. Here are five amazing benefits that can come from regular yoga sessions.

1. Improved Flexibility and Range of Motion
One of the primary benefits of yoga is improved flexibility and range of motion. As you age, your muscles tend to become tighter and less flexible. This can lead to decreased mobility and even pain in the joints. Yoga can help to counteract these negative effects by stretching and lengthening the muscles. Over time, this will improve your flexibility and range of motion and can help to prevent joint pain.

2. Increased Strength and Endurance
As you get older, your muscle mass begins to decrease, and your endurance starts to diminish. This can make everyday activities like climbing stairs or carrying groceries increasingly difficult. Yoga can help to combat this by increasing your muscle strength and endurance.

3. Improved Balance and Stability
With age, your balance and stability tend to decline. This can lead to falls and other injuries. Yoga sessions can help to improve your balance and stability by teaching you how to find your center of gravity and use your muscles in a more coordinated way.

4. Better Sleep
Sleep quality tends to decline as you age. This can lead to a host of problems, including fatigue, irritability, and even depression. Yoga can help to improve sleep quality by helping you relax and de-stress. The poses and breathing exercises taught in yoga can help to quiet the mind and promote more restful sleep.

5. Greater Mental Clarity and Calmness
As you get older, it's not uncommon to experience memory problems, cognitive decline, and increased stress levels. Yoga can help to improve mental clarity and calmness by promoting mindfulness and focus. The poses require total concentration and awareness, which can help to clear the mind and reduce stress levels. A few yoga sessions each week can go a long way in improving your overall mental health and well-being.

According to Yoga Seattle News, over 14 million yoga practitioners in the United States are 50 or older. This is a clear indication that yoga is an effective and beneficial activity for older adults. If you're looking for ways to improve your health and well-being, consider signing up for yoga sessions at Austin Yoga Tree today. We offer a variety of classes for all skill levels. Call today or visit our website for more information!