15 Minutes of Yoga: Health Benefits

 I did not fully grasp the misconceptions surrounding yoga until recently when I suggested to a colleague who kept complaining of back aches and the inability to get his sleep pattern on track to try some yoga. “For what? Am I a woman?” That was his response. I felt so embarrassed on his behalf. Who said Yoga is gender specific. That’s quite a mindset. We also see this in other aspects here in Nigeria. You mention starting in the gym and someone says, “for what? Aren’t you already slim? Which weight do you want to lose again?” It’s astonishing really how everything is now limited to byte-sized knowledge. So limited it’s not even funny. Anyway, his response inspired me to write about the benefits of yoga. It’s for everyone. ## **Improved Flexibility and Balance** One of the first things I noticed during my early yoga days was how much I struggled to keep the poses. My balance was way off. The continuous practice has improved my body coordination and significantly reduced the stiffness I usually feel. Especially in some parts of my body. As someone who sits all day everyday on a chair, Yoga helps relieve muscle tension and increases motion movement. ## **Posture** One of my fears was long neck. My posture when I’m editing videos (which is what I do most of the time now) is not good. I have yet to get a comfortable chair. Some poses in yoga is tailored to deal with this daily, to correct posture. ## **Pain relief** Yoga has worked like a charm for the seven months I have been practicing. The gentle movement I give to my body during yoga sessions reduces discomforts I feel especially in my lower back. I sit for hours on end and sometimes, a quick lying twist does the trick to relieve me of any tension at my waist. ## **Strength** The poses are not only designed to relieve you of stress, pains, etc, they are also designed to build your strength and endurance. There are challenging yoga poses that require muscle engagement – means your muscles are put to use which ultimately builds strength. Poses like *Virabhadrasana III* or *Plank* that involves your legs, back and triceps or *Garudasana* that also increases fluidity in your joints through engaging your core and shoulder muscles. ## **Breathing** One other thing I struggled with was controlling my breathing. Careful attention to the guide helped me tackle this issue. I also realized that it made me more efficient in my other home workout - athletes/endurance workouts. From yoga, I was able to control the edges of my breathing while doing fast paced workouts like jogging, squats, jumping jacks and the likes. I was able to keep control of my exhalations and thus conserve energy. ## **Improved Mental Clarity, Reduced Anxiety.** Starting your day with any exercise improves not just your mood but your focus. It releases serotonin that boosts your energy and bolsters a more positive outlook towards life. Fifteen minutes of yoga daily does this. It helps you to silence mental noise, teaching you to focus on the present. This reduces anxiety and sharpens your concentration. ## **Less Stress, More Body Love** Practicing yoga daily reduces cortisol levels in the body. It encourages you to listen to your body, helping you recognize patterns and sensations which increases your sensitivity towards your physical and emotional needs. I find that I’m a better version of me now that I listen to my body. I watch out for signs and symptoms, fully aware of my limits. Practicing yoga is one way I love and care for my body. ## **Good Sleep** This is so underrated. I used to have a poor sleep pattern. That is now in the past. I read somewhere that constant stretching of joins and the easing of the muscles brings a calming effect that induces sleep. When the body is the “good kind of tired”, it automatically switches off to restore and replenish. This has worked in my favour. I not only sleep when I should but the quality is also improved.  Yoga is not just for women. From the benefits, it’s for everyone especially for people in the line of work that requires being at a place for long periods of time. I explained this to him as he was my colleague and even used google to show him further details. Yoga isn’t just for women. It’s for everyone who has a body together with bones and joints. I have been consistently doing my yoga exercises and have noticed the improvement in my overall balance and stress levels. It’s been a part of my daily life for almost eight months now and it’ll only get better. **** **All Images are mine - manipulated on Canva**