I’ve now been practicing yoga for over a year, and its honestly an activity I would recommend literally everyone to try. I love it. As quite a sporty person, I was already pretty flexible and active, but yoga has not only improved my flexibility but also my strength a huge amount. Arguably, it has also improved my concentration (although that seems questionable when faced with a mountain of work to do.)
I’ve also never been one for spiritual, self-loving types of activity; things that previously seemed to me before I started to practice yoga to be unnecessary and frankly a bit cringey. However, I started practicing yoga during quite a stressful year in my life, and it not only gave me a constant focus for progression, but also a sense of myself and quite frankly a bit of amazement at the things my body can do.
So with this in mind, I’ve complied a list of the top 10 reasons you should practice yoga!
1. It’s relaxing
Nobody likes feeling stressed, and at university it is so easy to feel stressed with all the late nights lost to Netflix and deadlines! Yoga is a great chance to calm down, and I find that the breathing techniques really slow my mind down and allow me to chill out better than just lying around in my room.
2. It increases flexibility and strength
Flexibility is a really important part of yoga, and as usual, practice makes perfect! So its important to keep practicing your poses to progress. Also, who wouldn’t want to be able to do those cool bendy poses?! Prime instagram fodder right there…
Want to be beach ready but hate doing crunches? Yoga is a great way to increase your strength at a smooth, steady rate, without having to face the weights section of the gym.
3. You learn some obscure knowledge..
Ever wondered what the sanscrit was for ‘mountain pose?’ Well I now know that.. (Tadasana). A part of yoga class that I really enjoy is the incorporation of the Indian terminology and theory. It’s not something I would know about otherwise, but it’s interesting to think of the culture behind the practice of yoga and learn about an ancient practice.
4. You can work at your own pace
Yoga is about doing what is right for your body, not trying to compete with the rest of the class. Leave your competitive streak outside: it’s all about your progress and nobody else’s.
5. Its something you can do with your friends
Exercise to socialise? Yes please. Go along to a yoga class with a friend – it’s a great way to bond and have a laugh, especially if you’re both struggling balancing in tree pose, as per usual!
6. It’s a great way to meet new, likeminded people
Sometimes, you just need to get out and see some different people. Let’s face it, it can be quite maddening living on campus and seeing the same faces day in, day out. Going to a class is a fantastic way to meet people with the same interests as you.
7. Yoga Pants
Yoga pants are one of the best things in the world. Fact. Have a legitimate reason to be wearing them: go to a yoga class! As if the fact that they’re super comfy wasn’t reason enough to do yoga, you can buy ones with some seriously jazzy patterns on at the moment.
8. Yoga Mats
Sort of like the leggings, you can buy some really cool looking yoga mats! Elle Sport and Manuka make really pretty pink ones, and T.K.Maxx is great for a variety of cool looking yoga mats. You know you’ve become a yoga nerd when you’re a bit too attached emotionally to your matt…
9. Yoga retreats
If you’re really into your yoga, aiming to go on a yoga retreat is a perfect way to travel and get a bit of sun. Just think, a week in Greece – sun, sea, yoga… I feel healthier just thinking about it!
10. You’re part of a global community
Theres no escaping the fact that yoga is a big thing on social media right now. Theres plenty of inspiration out there, all available even when you’re just trawling the internet waiting for the bus. It’s nice to feel like you’ve got something to work towards, and also feel like you’re part of a wider yoga community.
So there you have it. Go to a yoga class and you’ll be hooked in no time, guaranteed. Namaste.