Top 25 Reasons to Practice Yoga
Over 20 years of yoga practice, we have seen thousands of people come to our classes, taking teacher training courses, workshops, and retreats. Not only show up once but committing to a persistent and flourishing yoga practice.
One of the facts that never ceases to amaze us about yoga is that it has the power to bring together people from different backgrounds, world-views, and with different interests.
Trust us! Everyone has a reason to come to yoga class. If you don't believe us just yet, please take a look at the first part of our compilation of the 25 top reasons why people show up for yoga class.
Reason # 1: To blow off steam
This is no news: The world is messier and crazier, and it is a trend that doesn't seem to stop. To keep coping with the demands of our over-demanding lifestyle, many people seek to create spaces where they can reconnect to their inner selves, take a pause, and essentially "blow off steam."
One of the reasons why yoga is so effective in reducing stress is that it encompasses a variety of stress-boosting techniques such as controlled breathing, meditation, physical movement, mental imagery, and stretching. It is believed that this combination of elements encourages a good mood, increases mindfulness and self-compassion.
A little self-indulgence while getting that body to work won't hurt, right?
Reason # 2: To get fit
We are increasingly aware of one fact: the state of our body is a reflection of our whole self. It doesn't matter if you are trying to eat healthier, or if we are spending hours at the gym, the world seems to be more aware of the importance of having a healthy body.
Did you know that yoga is one of the few activities that help you increase your flexibility, stability, balance, AND strength? Of course, you will need to practice yoga regularly to start seeing the benefits in all these areas.
Are you looking to practice a discipline that would not only make you feel good, but that would also have you look better? Then yoga is your way to go!
Reason # 3: To become part of a tribe
As humans, we are all social creatures. We are wired and naturally driven to connect with others.
One of the amazing things about yoga - as we mentioned before - is that it brings together all kinds of people, and still, they can build a strong sense of community.
Yoga is not only a practice, but it can also totally become a lifestyle and a life-philosophy that you enjoy with others that share this with you!
Reason # 4: To get better at it!
As crazy as it might sound, yoga is a super appealing practice for highly competitive people.
But don't get us wrong, we don't expect you to be competing with your classmates. However, if you are a competitive person, a regular yoga practice can make you feel satisfied and replenished as you get to see your improvement along the way.
It's a "you against you" type of deal!
Reason # 5: To go inward
When was the last time you manage to book some time within your busy schedule just for yourself? Yoga happens to be an incredible practice for people thinking of having some "me" time while tunning with their inner selves.
This happens because, after all, yoga is an inward practice. It can be ideal for those seeking to connect and explore the depth of their inner world.
Reason #6: For Self-knowledge
Yoga is a conscious practice, and with consciousness comes awareness of oneself.
A lot of people come to yoga classes seeking to know themselves better. Even at a merely physical level, yoga makes you feel muscles that you didn't even know were there! Also, through conscious practice, people learn, connect, and to better understand their inner states - whether present or past.
Reason #7: Because it is a lifestyle
For many people, yoga means a lot more than just a class that you take a couple of times a week. For many, yoga is a lifestyle, a philosophy, and a way of living.
Some elements add up to that yoga lifestyle, such as healthy eating, a compassionate approach to life and others, meditation, relaxation, positive thinking, music, and, of course, going to lots of yoga retreats!
Reason #8: To show off
Even people not interested in yoga as a lifestyle can sign up for yoga class and consistently show up. Why? To show off!
With consistent practice and some concentration, you WILL get better at it (it is almost impossible not to) and start being able to make some fancy, challenging asanas that might help you impress your friends at the beach.
Reason #9: Because it's fun!
Yoga is a holistic practice with a significant physical component. As with many other physical activities, accomplishing a new challenging asana can be lots of fun!
Also, yoga retreats and festivals can be super fun and don't even get us started in laughter yoga!
Reason #10: To heal
Did you know that regular yoga practice increases your chances of having lower blood pressure and sugar, better cardiovascular and respiratory function, and it also boosts your immune system?
Not only that, but yoga also helps you transform your mind, which can be powerful to heal from traumatic experiences and intense emotional episodes.
For these reasons, many decide to bet on the healing power of yoga.
Reason #11: To get focused - and balanced!
Another widespread reason why people practice yoga is to get focused and find balance in their life.
Isn't it amazing that there are specific yoga asanas that can help boost concentration and mental focus? This is probably one of the reasons why yoga practice is becoming more and more popular on university campuses and even at the workplace.
Reason #12: To improve their flexibility
Flexibility is essential to keeping a healthy body and avoiding injuries, and this becomes more and truer as we age.
Many decide to practice yoga regularly as they start experiencing the benefits of improved flexibility in their daily lives.
Reason #13: To reconnect with their body
We tend not to be aware of what's going on with our bodies. We seem to be always in a rush or caught up in the middle of many moving parts.
One of the reasons why people go to yoga class is to reconnect with their bodies. Moreover, yoga forces you to take a pause, to slow down and be present. While you progress into different positions, it has you treat your body gently and truly feel your body.
Reason #14: To calm the mind
According to Harvard Medical School, research suggests that yoga can help reduce the impact of stress responses, reducing perceived stress, anxiety, and even depression.
For this reason, people with a hectic life or that carry themselves through very stressful circumstances decide to practice yoga. And with the increase in supporting evidence for it, even occidental doctors are starting to recommend it.
Reason #15: To explore movement and feel free
As mentioned before, with regular practice and focus, people start feeling muscles they weren't even aware of before. With increasing awareness of the body, yoga practitioners start exploring new movements, and this frees them up from the physical strings they had imposed over themselves.
Have you experienced this? It can feel really liberating!
Reason #16: Because you like the teacher
As silly as it might sound, having a good connection with your yoga teacher can be a crucial element to consider when you are considering whether to go to your yoga class or not - especially when you are just starting to practice yoga.
If the yoga instructor makes the students feel grounded in the present; if he/she can create a safe space for student participation, guiding them through the poses but also being flexible when needed; those students would probably like him/her best and would be more likely to keep showing up for yoga class.
Reason #17: Because you are instructed and motivated to practice
Related to the above, instruction and motivation are key elements that drive people towards practicing yoga.
If you are just starting your practice and the asanas feel too challenging to perform, and your instructor doesn't offer much guidance, you'd likely get demotivated.
People tend to stick to their yoga practice when they feel guided and also motivated through their own process.
Reason #18: Because it's a ritual
Let's face it: some people stop feeling physical or even mentally challenged at their yoga class at some point, but they keep going because it's a ritual.
Routines provide consistency in people's somewhat chaotic lives, which is one of the reasons why people keep dressing, preparing, and showing up for their yoga classes.
Reason #19: Because you enjoy your yoga studio
The yoga studio itself also can influence people to go to a yoga class. By yoga studio here, we are explicitly referring to space: the light, the smell, the colors, the temperature, even the background music.
If the overall atmosphere of the yoga studio is calming, inviting, and comfortable, students would be more likely to keep going there.
Reason #20: To raise your vibration
Many yoga practitioners believe the world is made up of energy that vibrates at different frequencies. When your vibration - your overall state of being - is at a low frequency, you are doing poorly at a physical, mental, emotional, and even at a spiritual level. The opposite happens when you vibrate at a high frequency.
Being conscious of your thoughts, experiencing the beauty in mantras, meditation, and even movement itself - all part of yoga practice - are all great ways to raise your vibration, and this can become a motivation to go to practice yoga.
Reason #21: To challenge themselves
People looking to feel challenged can find in yoga what they are looking for.
It doesn't matter if the practice challenges you physically or if it's a fact of being away from technology for 60 minutes what drives you. Either way, yoga can be challenging for pretty much everyone!
Reason #22: To let go of control
The world out there is in constant change, and this can make us feel as if we need to keep everything under our control to feel safe.
Although control can make us feel that we are, in fact, safer or at least prepared for change, it can also cause us - and others around us - a lot of pain.
When rooted in the present of a yoga class, it is easier to control what we actually can. We focus on our movements and our breathing, for instance, we let go of all those expectations and worries that are not within our control. These can help people experience fantastic freedom!
Reason #23: To get a new perspective
Have you ever been in a situation in which you feel you just can't look at it from a different angle? Does it make you feel stuck? If so, you share a reason to practice yoga with many people out there.
A lot of people find in yoga a great way to "get a new perspective" when they feel stuck, or they are facing a problem they don't know how to solve.
The reason why yoga helps in these circumstances is that the practice of yoga asanas, alongside awareness and conscious breathing, brings energy to the body and peace of presence to your mind, allowing for clearing off stress and irritability.
Reason #24: To deepen and understand breathing
In yoga, we use conscious breathing: Pranayama. It isn't only breathing; it's the art of breathing.
Yoga breathing techniques can help us bring more oxygen into our bodies, benefit digestion, improve the ability to concentrate and also have a positive calming effect. They are essential to yoga practice, but they can be applied at any moment.
For these and many other reasons, some people are looking into ways to deepen and understand breathing, and yoga practice is their go-to.
Reason #25: To unplug from society and technology
Oh well! It can get noisy out there, right? The traffic, the problems, social media, gossip… Wouldn't it be nice just to have some silence?
If your answer to this question was: "Yaas!" Then that's your reason to go to yoga class!
It doesn't matter which one sounded like you, but if any of these statements did sound like you, then you've got no excuses, you have a valid reason to practice yoga.
Come and join us at our upcoming Yoga Sutras 4-Week Course and start experiencing the benefits of the yoga power from day 1.