yoga bucuresti has long been considered an exercise for the body and mind. The popularity of the practice has grown over the years, and research supports many benefits of yoga — from strength training to weight loss to better sleep. The word “yoga” is Sanskrit for union, and it incorporates exercise, breath work, meditation and other elements of Eastern spirituality.

The practice is also believed to promote self-healing and encourage compassion, empathy and love. It also helps to boost immunity, reduce blood pressure and improve mood. Yoga also teaches us to be more mindful, which can translate into our daily lives and help in stress management. And it’s a great way to improve balance, which can prevent falls and other accidents as we age.

Anyone who is healthy enough to participate in physical activity can benefit from yoga. But people with some health conditions should check with their healthcare provider before starting a new exercise program. People with diabetes, high blood pressure or chronic heart problems may need to modify a yoga routine.

Yoga poses stretch and strengthen the body, from the muscles of the legs and feet to the shoulders and arms. Poses like Tree Pose (Vrksasana) strengthen the core, while Seated Spinal Twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana) and Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana) increase spinal mobility. The Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana) stretches the hamstrings and calves, and the core and back muscles are strengthened by holding the pose for longer periods of time.

Because yoga involves controlled breathing, it can also help with respiratory issues such as allergies and sinusitis. Pranayama, or breathwork, can also improve the function of the brain and nervous system. Studies show that regular yoga practitioners have less anxiety and depression and have greater cognitive function than non-yoga practitioners.

In addition to mental health benefits, yoga can relieve stress, increase energy and help people sleep better. The practice of yoga, especially when combined with mindfulness and meditation, tamps down the activity in certain pathways in the brain that get ramped up in times of stress, Dr. Rubenstein Fazzio says. This is known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which is thought to be responsible for some of the symptoms of stress, such as headaches and fatigue.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made finding in-person yoga classes challenging. But online classes can still be a good way to get started. Look for videos or tutorials that introduce the basic poses and help you build your confidence. Then, as you gain more confidence and experience, you can try classes with more complex moves.