Why Yoga should be the next thing you take up

1. You’ll sleep more soundly. Regular Yoga has been found to alleviate sleep disorders such as insomnia. A Harvard Medical School study found that after 8 weeks of daily yoga, the quality of sleep improved in many who had previously struggled to nod off.

2. Helps to lose and maintain a healthy weight. Poses such as Sun salutations (surya namaskar) and kapalbhati pranayama are particularly effective. Yoga also encourages mindful eating: this can help to prevent over-eating as it heightens our physical and mental self-awareness.

3. You’ll have better posture and flexibility. Yoga helps to stretch out muscles, ligaments and tendons preventing the likelihood of injury from other exercise, and improves core strength which leads to better posture.

4. Can provide relief from pain such as migraines. Research from Dr. Paul B. Rizzoli and Harvard Health Publications found that sufferers experienced fewer and less severe migraines after 3 months of yoga practise and the American Osteopathic Association found that the relaxation techniques incorporated in yoga can lessen chronic pain, such as lower back pain, arthritis, headaches and carpal tunnel syndrome.

5. It’s anti-ageing. Through strengthening core muscles, improving cardiovascular function, maintaining a balanced metabolism and aiding the secretion of hormones, the regular practice of yoga is a powerful tool against the impact of ageing on the body.