Yoga is an ancient practice for the physical body, mental as well as spiritual, which has been around for over 5000 years. It is the practice of body postures, meditation and breathing control. There are many different types of practice that vary in intensity and method, but nearly all will include the basics of breathing exercises and simple meditation, as well as poses and postures that stretch and flex different muscle groups. With time, people have discovered several health benefits associated with yoga.

1. Increased muscle strength and flexibility
   Yoga helps in strengthening weak muscles of the body. It helps in toning which prevents frequent straining of the muscles. With regular practice, and being able to keep yourself in positions, you will strengthen the muscles in your core, back, arms and legs. Practicing yoga also helps in increasing your flexibility. You are essentially stretching your muscles, the more you stretch, the longer they become. Most people will be aware that a tight muscle is an angry muscle. Stretching and having the ability to elongate the muscle is very beneficial. It frees up tension and blood flow, reduced the risk of a headache or stress and increases your range of motion. These exercises also do not overwork the muscle as it is primarily about repetition and control. With regular practice, you will see improvement in your flexibility.
2. Energy levels
   Yoga can actually help to increase the energy levels, which then reduce fatigue. Practicing yoga is essentially detoxing the body through exercise. When you stretch the muscles you are massaging your internal organs, rinsing toxins from the body. Your energy levels are boosted straight away, is receiving new oxygen and revitalizing your body overall.
3. Improved respiration
   The respiratory system is made up of the lungs, the bronchial tube, and nose, plus air passages such as the larynx, pharynx, and trachea. The breathing practices in yoga promote relaxation and calmness, and it also builds up great respiratory stamina. A lot of breathing exercises are said to improve lung function. Doing such exercises in a long run could cure respiratory problems. It also increases the capacity of your lungs.
4. Low impact and weight loss
   Yoga is the perfect low impact form of sport or exercise as it does not place any impact on the joints. This is ideal for those who have arthritis or any other joint inflammatory disease. Often you can do a variation on movements to better suit your capabilities. Combining low impact yoga training with a balanced diet will also contribute to weight loss. Even though it’s not a cardiovascular workout, your body is still working hard which in turn lends itself to dropping some body fat.
5. Balancing metabolism
   Yoga helps in retaining the vitality in your body along with keeping it fit. It motivates you towards healthy eating and improves the metabolic system of the body. As yoga is all-encompassing, by working all aspects of your body and mind, balancing your system, is balancing your metabolism.
6. Increased blood flow
   The relaxation exercises in yoga regulates blood to all parts of your body. Exercises such as handstand, helps venous blood from the lower part of the body to flow back to your heart, where it can be pumped back to the lungs to be oxygenated.
7. Improved immune system
   Yoga exercises have a beneficial effect on the immune system. It not only helps in destroying various viruses we catch during season change, but also boosts our immunity to fight off diseases.
8. Increases self-esteem
   Practicing yoga would help you explore a different side of yourself. It would make you feel good about yourself and helps you take a positive approach in life.
9. Better sleep
   Yoga helps in reducing stress and creates a routine which in turn makes a regular sleeping pattern. A relaxed body gets a deeper and more peaceful sleep.
10. Stress management
    Stress can reveal itself in the body in many ways, and in many areas. Muscles become tight, back or neck pain, headaches, sleeping problems, lack of concentration. By practicing yoga and incorporating its breathing and meditation techniques, you are developing skills to manage your stress levels. Aside from the wonderful physical benefits yoga cements in the body, your mind is also receiving these benefits. The more the meditation becomes easy the more you can implement it throughout the day.