Researchers have been studying the benefits of yoga over the last hundred years. I ,myself, have experienced these benefits while practicing and because of my love for yoga, I'm currently in the process of becoming an instructor! So I thought I share my top three reasons for why I love practicing yoga and why you should too!

1. Silence of the mind

Practicing yoga allows us to unplug ourselves from the outside world. We can be truly present in the moment and silence our busy minds from the day-to-day chaotic society. Studies show people who practice yoga have less overall stress and are more likely to be calmer in stressful situations.

2. Flexibility

A lot of people are turned off from yoga because of the poses that challenge your flexibility. However, if you stick with it, you'll start to notice that you are gradually loosening and it feels AMAZING. Furthermore, flexibility can help you prevent injuries and help improve your posture.

3. Breath

One of the most important practices of yoga is learning to control and be conscious of the breath. Yogi's tend to take deep, long breaths which can have a soothing and calming effect on the body. These breaths are then connected to various pose's and contribute to the flow of yoga. One of my favorite types of breathing is called the "Ujjayi Breath" or otherwise known as the ocean breath. It's called the ocean breath because after you take a deep breath in, you exhale with sound by pushing the air out with your throat and it makes a hissing sound (almost like the sounds of the ocean after a wave crashed). Breathing deeply in yoga also has been shown to help people with congestive heart failure and lung disorders to be able to breathe better.

So there you have it! I hope you enjoyed my commentary and I hope you decide to go discover the benefits of yoga for yourself. You won't be disappointed.