7 things that happen to your body during yoga

Research shows that it increases strength, balance and flexibility but that’s not all – here’s seven more reasons to roll out your mat and kickstart your day with a yoga session.

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1. Reduced stress

Yoga calms the sympathetic nervous system. People who practise regularly also have more brain cells in the regions that regulate stress and increase focus, according to researchers at the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the US.

2. Improved concentration

By focusing on your breath, you’re better able to concentrate on daily activities.

3. Pain management

It turns off the stress response and so that the body can focus on growth, repair, immune function, digestion and other self-nurturing processes that help manage pain.

4. Belly-fat be gone!

Yoga lowers levels of cortisol, the stress hormone that makes your midsection a magnet for belly fat. So yoga can serve as an ally for both your physical and mental health.

5. Reduce cramping

A recent study showed cobra, cat and fish poses are safe and effective in reducing the severity and duration of menstrual cramps.

6. Supports healthy sleep

Regular yoga improves overall sleep quality, which has a knock-on effect for your mood, weight and overall health.

7. Builds strong bones

Yoga poses can help stimulate the growth of bone-making cells (osteocytes). A decade-long investigation found that it significantly improves bone density in the spine and thigh bones.

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