There are far more than seven reasons to try yoga, but if you have been putting it off, these are the ones most likely to change your mind. Yoga complements every other style of training we offer at Hammers Gym in Nunawading, from heavy lifting to Muay Thai, and it is one of the best things you can do for your long-term health.
1. Improved flexibility
The most obvious benefit, and still one of the most valuable. Better flexibility helps with everyday tasks like bending, turning and putting on your shoes, and it carries straight into your training. Tight muscles limit your range of motion, hold back your lifts and increase the chance of a strain, whether that happens under a barbell or reaching for something on the top shelf.
2. Healthier joints
Every yoga session takes your joints through their full range of motion. Joint cartilage works a bit like a sponge: it takes on fresh nutrients only when it is compressed and released. Areas that never get used can slowly deteriorate. Regular movement through full ranges helps keep those areas nourished, which may help protect your joints as you age.
3. Better circulation and recovery
Yoga gets your blood moving. The postures and breathing practices are thought to support circulation, particularly to the hands and feet, and to improve oxygen delivery to your muscles. That matters after a tough resistance session, when your muscle fibres need oxygenated blood to repair and rebuild. Many of our lifters use a weekly yoga class as active recovery for exactly this reason.
4. Lymphatic drainage and immune support
As you contract and stretch muscles and move through postures, you help drain lymph, the fluid that carries immune cells around the body. A well-functioning lymphatic system supports your body’s ability to fight infection and clear waste products from your cells.
5. May help lower blood pressure
Research has linked regular yoga practice, and particularly relaxation-based practices, with modest reductions in blood pressure in people with hypertension. It is not a replacement for medical treatment, but it can be a useful part of a healthy lifestyle. If you have high blood pressure, speak with your doctor about how yoga might fit into your plan.
6. Stress relief and mood
Modern life is busy, and prolonged stress takes a toll on mental as well as physical health. Studies have associated consistent yoga practice with lower stress hormone levels and improvements in mood. The combination of movement, breath control and quiet focus gives your nervous system a chance to switch out of “fight or flight” mode, and most people notice they leave a class calmer than they arrived.
7. Sharper focus
A core part of yoga is attention to the present moment: your breath, your balance, the position of your body. Research suggests regular practice may improve coordination, reaction time and memory, and the mental discipline you build on the mat shows up in the rest of your life, including your other training.
Who is yoga for?
Everyone. Beginners are welcome in every class, and you do not need to be flexible to start; that is what the practice is for. Lifters use it for mobility and recovery. Fighters use it for flexibility, breathing and focus. Runners use it for hip and hamstring health. If you sit at a desk all day, yoga is one of the most effective ways to undo the damage.
Try a yoga class at Hammers Gym
Now that you have seven good reasons to try yoga, the next step is simply turning up. Yoga classes run throughout the week; check the gym timetable for current times, and see all our group fitness classes to build a complete weekly routine. Bring a mat if you have one, wear something comfortable and arrive a few minutes early for your first session.
Hammers Gym is a 24/7 gym in Nunawading, minutes from Mitcham, Blackburn, Box Hill and Doncaster. Not a member yet? Try us out with a free trial, view our membership options, or contact us and we will help you get started.