Yoga has surged within the United States in recent years. A recent survey conducted by Yoga Journal and Yoga Alliance found that the number of Americans that regularly practice yoga is now over 36 million, up from 20.4 million in 2012. To many bodybuilders, yoga can seem like a pointless endeavor. However, there are many reasons why you should add yoga to your training routine to obtain the many health benefits it promotes. Here are some of the benefits of Yoga.
Increased Flexibility
Yoga poses require individuals to stretch muscles and ultimately an increased range of motion. Stretching will improve flexibility over time by counteracting some of the problems we inherit by sitting most of the day. Muscles become accustomed to a limited range of motion and by regularly doing yoga, that commonality is broken.
Increased Muscle Strength and Tone
Yoga creates functional muscles while aiding in muscle tone and definition enhancement. These gains are mostly due to the use of an individual’s own body weight being lifted with specific muscles during the wide variety of poses. Though this method is not as effective as weight lifting, it can be a supplemental option to obtaining functional, large muscles.
Weight Reduction
Power yoga is an Americanized form of traditional yoga techniques that focuses on faster movements and meditative breathing. Because of the intensity associated with this form of yoga, weight loss is more commonly seen than with traditional yoga. Combine this with hot yoga and you will be sweating away the pounds in no time!
Improved Athletic Performance
Yoga has been a proven method for preventing injuries while also aiding in the recovery and repair of muscles. By increasing stretching capabilities, athletes are less likely to suffer from pulled muscles or strains. Yoga also attracts more oxygen to muscles and increases vascularity due to muscle lengthening during certain stretches.