Yoga has become so integrated into my sense of Self, health and well being I really can’t separate them anymore. Days that I abstain from practice just don’t seem to go as well, in general, as days that I do; I tend to be more emotional, a little bit more down, the day just seems choppy; it doesn’t have the same grace and flow. When I do practice everything is put in perspective for the day, I am more clear and centered. It takes much bigger tidal wave to knock my socks off. I just tend to feel happier not just emotionally, my body is lighter too. When I go several days with out practicing my body tends to get very cranky and eventually so do I until I take that time for myself.

Yoga has also quickly become one of the most loved practices for health and well being here in the West. With millions of practitioners this is not just a trend. It is a lifestyle, a way of being in the world with no sign of decline in sight. So if you are just playing with the idea of trying it for the first time or a seasoned practitioner that wants a little more inspiration I give you 50 reasons to get on the mat.

1).Increased strength and tone of the muscles
2).Increased flexibility, elasticity and agility
3).A better relationship with your body
4).Reduce the effects of stress on the body
5).Better breathing: therefore increased oxygenation to all the cells (oxygen is an essential nutrient to the cells and for many body functions)
6).Feeling more centered throughout your day
7).Feeling a greater connection to Source, Source Energy, your Inner Being, Spirit, God, The Universe, Universal Energy, The Divine; whatever you choose to call it
8).Better balance and sturdiness
9).Reduction of pain and discomfort
10).Focus and concentration
11).Clearing out old emotional baggage stored in the body
12).Gaining access to intuitional guidance and wisdom
13).Knowing yourself
14).Happiness, Harmony, Joy and Bliss
15).Self love; giving care and attention to your self
16).Emotional balance and stability
17).Better sleep
18).The possibility of reducing or getting off medications
19).Balancing the hormones and glands
20).Healing injuries (if you practice with the correct alignment)
21).Reducing tension held in the body
22).Each pose is an art form and an opportunity for you to express your unique radiance and beauty
23).Open the energy channels; get the energy free flowing through the body (which according to eastern medicine is a state of health and wellness)
24).Courage, expansion of mind, doing things you didn’t think you could do
25).Lower your blood pressure (if it’s too high)
26).The ability to be more present in your life
27).Spiritual awakening and enlightenment
28).The ability to sit comfortably for meditation
29).Stillness of mind and body and therefore the ability to meditate
30).Prepares the ground and opens the doorway to higher states of consciousness
31).Improve posture
32).A healthy heart
33).Purification
34).A feeling of lightness in ones being
35).Integration and wholeness: a feeling of oneness in mind, body and spirit
36).Improve the health and efficacy of the organs
37).To gain an effortless ease, gracefulness and poise
38).Discipline
39).Freedom
40).Surrender to something greater
41).Increase endurance and vigor
42).Learn how to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations
43).Reverse the effects of aging
44).Weight loss (a strengthening practice in conjunction with other healthy lifestyle habits can assist you in loosing excess weight, you might even feel inclined to eat less for if your organs function better, you can assimilate more)
45).Elevated mood and outlook on life
46).Empowerment; yoga gives you tools that you can use to heal yourself whenever you are in pain, so that you don’t necessarily have to rely on someone else to help you (such as a chiropractor, massage therapist etc…)
47).A healthy spine “You are only as young as your spine is flexible” I believe this was said by Vanda Scaravelli
48).A greater sense of ones power and core strength
49).An open heart
50).Beauty… with all of these benefits you can’t help but become more beautiful in everyway; a beauty that radiates from the inside out

I am sure that there are many more benefits to this healing art. To find out what that might be just step onto your mat and begin or get into a class and discover for yourself. Of course every persons experience is unique. Some have gotten injured in a yoga class myself included. One must learn from a competent teacher and practice wisely with attention and care. However, the benefits far outweigh any risks involved and in life there are always risks, yoga is no exception.

I think one of the greatest gifts yoga has to offer us is focus; for with out focus we can not go anywhere. In addition, one of the most valuable yoga practices to start with is just to be in joy; to love and accept yourself as you are whether that is on the mat or off the mat. A regular yoga practice is a wonderful way to help us realign with the health and well being that is our birthright.