Benefits of yoga for women you just cannot ignore!

‍

Women today can successfully manage their personal and professional lives with relative ease. Access to smart devices and the promise of 10-minute delivery has eased the responsibilities, but at the same time, it has led to a greater degree of multitasking. Today's corporate world expects professionals to be on their toes. On the surface, women are managing admirably but the rigors of a hectic lifestyle are bound to result in physical and mental issues.

‍

While escaping this lifestyle is improbable, there are ways that it can be managed which bring a balance to the lives of women. Much has been written about the benefits of a regular yoga practice but it is particularly helpful for women. Yoga for women is not just about weight loss or sculpting the body, though those are of course positive value adds, but it is so much more.

‍

Let's have a look at some of the benefits of yoga for women:

‍

Improves back pain

‍

As per studies, women are likely to suffer from back pains more often than men. A sedentary lifestyle, wrong posture, sciatica, premenstrual syndrome and exertion of muscles can all be contributing factors to back pain. 

‍

A regular yoga practice can help in treating not only the back but also the stress that accompanies it. Some easy-to-practice poses for beginners to treat back pain are Cat-Cow, Downward Facing Dog, Cobra Pose, Bridge Pose, Spinal Twist and Child’s Pose.

‍

Helps with anxiety

‍

Anxiety, stress and depression are strongly associated with the female gender. Prolonged anxiety can manifest in a variety of ways in both the physical and mental bodies. Long-term consequences of mental disorders include headaches, difficulty sleeping, back and neck pain, overeating/undereating, substance abuse, lack of energy, and confidence issues.

‍

There are so many studies that highlight the benefits of yoga for women. Check out this 30-min stress relief practice and release all the tension and anxieties from your body. 

‍

Helps during pregnancy and labour

‍

Prenatal yoga is one of the most popular exercise routines doctors advise for women. Yoga during pregnancy helps in the management of stress and also opens up the pelvic muscles, which may help in reducing delivery time and in labour.

‍

There is a set of recommended poses to practice and avoid for each trimester and it is advisable to get your doctor’s clearance on what exercise routine to follow.

‍

CTA - Start your pregnancy journey with Zoga’s easy-to-follow prenatal yoga practices. Download the app here! (Link)

‍

Reduces symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

‍

Every month is a mental and physical battle for the majority of women. PMS symptoms include not only physical symptoms but also emotional and behavioral patterns. Every month, nearly 95% of women suffer from PMS, which has a significant impact on their lifestyle.

‍

The benefit of yoga for women to aid in PMS is highlighted in this article published in the International Journal of Women’s Health and Reproduction Sciences. The results from the study show that yoga significantly relieves PMS symptoms and can be prescribed for the treatment of PMS.

‍

Try this 60-minute gentle practice during your menstrual cycle to help relieve pain and provide relaxation. 

‍

Reduces menopause symptoms

‍

Menopause symptoms can be greatly alleviated by practising yoga, much like PMS symptoms. Yoga is a practice that seeks to unite the mind and body through controlled breathing (Pranayama) and physical postures (Asanas). Women who incorporate yoga into their daily routine have a smoother transition to menopause.

‍

Improves heart health

‍

Heart problems are no longer limited to the elderly. According to recent studies, more than 30% of heart attack patients are under the age of 40. While heart issues are twice more likely to happen in men, women too are at great risk. Unhealthy eating habits and a lack of physical activity are to blame, but the demands of a hectic lifestyle make maintaining a healthy routine impossible.

‍

Compromising heart health can lead to serious and often irreversible consequences. Practicing simple and effective yoga asanas like Mountain Pose, Chair Pose, Tree Pose and Downward Facing Dog can be helpful for a healthy heart. 

‍

Improvement in the overall quality of life

‍

Yoga can be modified to suit your individual needs. Whether you are looking to keep stress and anxiety at bay or improve your physical health and stamina, yoga offers a lot of benefits. Women frequently struggle to find an exercise routine that they enjoy - the gym membership lies forgotten and the couch to 5k plan is hugely dependent on the weather!

‍

CTA - Download the Zoga app to get access to over 100 yoga and meditation videos which can be accessed from the comfort of your personal space. (Link)

‍