An exercise that is said to have been practiced for over 5,000 years (yes, it’s true), yoga might just be that thing in your life you never knew you needed. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced yogi, practicing this mind-body workout gives you ever-changing satisfactory results with every session. With surprising benefits and little equipment required, yoga is the game-changing fitness hack you’ve been looking for, and here’s why:
It’s a Low-Impact, Efficient Exercise
Don’t mistake low impact for easy. Yoga is anything but easy, but it is gentle on the body and muscles and allows you to modify as needed. It’s efficient poses work all parts of your body, particularly your core, which should be one the strongest parts of your body to support everything else. Yoga allows you to raise your heartbeat, all while strengthening and lengthening muscles at the same time.
Little Equipment Needed
Have carpet, grass, or a soft surface to practice on? You’re set! There is very little needed for basic yoga practice. Wear clothes that allow you to move freely. You might find that a mat, yoga blocks, and a few other pieces of equipment might come in handy. But the good news is once you have those, there’s very little money you need to further invest in the practice.
You Can Practice Right at Home, or Anywhere
With little to no equipment necessary, you can take your yoga class literally anywhere. Hold yourself accountable with a weekly goal, say four times a week, and make it happen. There are plenty of online yoga offerings that will bring class right into your own living room.
It Costs Little Money
Yoga costs little money, if anything at all! Check out your local yoga studios (here in South Jordan, UT, we love breathe - a yoga studio and Suvita Hot Yoga) and seek out member specials they might offer. Or, look into the numerous online classes offered for free, like Do Yoga With Me, Yoga With Adriene, or Daily Burn that offers a free 30-day trial.
It Offers Both Mental & Physical Benefits
A total mind-body workout, yoga does more than just burn calories and tone muscles. When combining the strengthening and stretching poses with some deep breathing and meditation practices, you’re able to reap the benefits of clearing your mind, bettering you for the rest of the day.
It’s that unicorn of exercises – saves you time, saves you money, makes you feel good, helps you lose weight, and is easy on the body! Start to incorporate yoga into your daily routine and you will soon discover what makes this exercise so amazing. Namaste.
For more life hacks, check out the Olympus at the District blog.