5 Reasons to Start Doing Yoga

By Jon Stiffler, PTA

5 Reasons to Start Doing Yoga

Yoga is an ancient practice originating in India around 5000 years ago. The term itself is actually an old Sanskrit word meaning union of body, mind, and spirit. There are many benefits of daily practice that can help with mental and physical strength. Below are 5 reasons to start doing yoga:

1. Yoga focuses on breathing techniques to allow optimal energy flow. This helps decrease anxiety, relax, and improve guarding and protective posturing after injury!
2. Rid yourself of toxins! Some practices produce intense internal heat, which purifies sweat and eliminates toxins from your body.
3. Yoga focuses on improving balance and increasing core control. Balance improves with increasingly difficult poses as you become more advanced.
4. Enhance your posture! Often we sink into slouched postures throughout the day. Daily practice can improve your postural awareness! Many poses focus on strengthening core muscles to help with neck and back pain caused by poor posture.
5. Muscle endurance and flexibility are greatly improved through constant practice. Yoga can increase your flexibility and strength! You can expect improvement in some sports.

6 Yoga Poses You Can Try at Home

Yoga poses to try at home:

• Downward Dog
• Plank
• Bridge
• Chair
• Warrior
• Boat

By: Jon Stiffler, PTA, Sports Center 

Please check out this article with 9 New Poses you can do at home if you would like more in-depth instruction on how to do these poses.

Remember to talk to your instructor or physical therapist if you are injured or have physical limitations!  To schedule physical therapy at one of the 12 JOI Rehab Centers, please call 904-858-7045

Related Articles: Neck Pain, Choosing the Correct Running Shoes and Yoga Poses.

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