We’ve all seen the videos and articles claiming that yoga can completely transform your life, and at some point it starts to feel a little overdone. It’s often reduced to a simple stretching workout, but its benefits go far beyond just flexibility. From supporting your mental clarity to improving physical health, yoga offers more than just the surface-level results it’s been cheapened to. With consistent practice, the claim holds true. Yoga actually can change your life.
Builds Strength and Flexibility
One of yoga’s biggest benefits is its almost immediate physical impact. Regular practice has been linked to improvements in flexibility, but it also builds strength in a way that’s often underestimated. Yoga that utilizes body weight resistance through active flow styles like vinyasa are often recommended when it comes to increasing strength. Some poses to try include:
- Boat pose
- Crane and crow pose
- Bridge pose
Offers a Daily Reset
Beyond its physical benefits, yoga is also a great tool to regulate stress and stabilize moods. The combination of controlled breathing and movement can help shift the body out of a heightened state of stress, making it easier to relax and refocus. A gentle and grounding yoga is often recommended when trying to reduce stress. Some poses to try include:
- Child’s pose
- Cat-cow pose
- Standing forward bend
Supports Heart Health
There’s also growing evidence that yoga can help play a role in improving your cardiovascular health. While it may not be as intensive as traditional cardio workouts, consistent practice has been linked to lower blood pressure and improved circulation. Gentle and restorative yoga is often most recommended when it comes to improving heart health. Some poses to try include:
- Bridge pose
- Cobra pose
- Downward-facing dog
Aids with Digestion
Yoga has also been linked to improved digestion, in part because it reduces stress and supports gut motility. Poses that incorporate twists and forward folds lightly compress and release the abdominal area, which can help ease bloating and reduce IBS symptoms. Yoga that includes poses with gentle twisting movements or forward bends are recommended when trying to help with digestion. Some poses to try include:
- Supine twist
- Wind-relieving pose
- Seated forward bend
Yoga For All
Part of yoga’s massive appeal is just how easy it is to incorporate into your daily life. It doesn’t require you to have an expensive gym membership or make a big-time commitment. Even just setting aside 10 to 15 minutes a day can be incredibly effective. Over the years, online platforms have also helped make yoga even more accessible, offering free guided sessions with certified instructors for all skill levels. Some of VALLEY’s favorite go-to channels include Yoga With Adriene, Move With Nicole and Jess Yoga.
Along with online resources, Penn State also offers a variety of free yoga classes for students. Both the White and IM Buildings host weekly sessions led by certified instructors. Classes are open to all skill levels and include options such as vinyasa, slow flow and power yoga.
This semester, campus is also offering hour-long yoga and meditation sessions that are held on Mondays in 232 HUB from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and in 107 Pasquerilla from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Along with Wednesdays in the Palmer Art Museum from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
If you’re thinking about picking up yoga, we’d love to hear all about it. Tag us on Instagram @VALLEYMag to share your experience.
