Yoga is a mind and body practice with origins in ancient Indian philosophy. The various styles of yoga typically combine physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation or relaxation. Many people who practice yoga do so to maintain their health and wellbeing, improve physical fitness, relieve stress, and enhance quality of life. In addition, they may be addressing specific health conditions, such as back pain, neck pain, arthritis, and anxiety.

Benefits to Yoga:

1. It can slow down aging. Yoga stimulates detoxification, which contributes to delaying aging.

2. It can cure insomnia. Because yoga helps both exercise your body and banish stress, yoga practitioners often find they sleep better.

3. It can raise self-confidence. Yoga is comprised of small movements that make you more aware of your body. In turn, this can lead you to be even more confident in its abilities.

4. It can benefit your health. Recent studies in people with chronic low-back pain suggest that a carefully adapted set of yoga poses may help reduce pain and improve function. Additionally, yoga can help reduce heart rate and blood pressure, and may also help relieve anxiety and depression.

5. It can reduce stress. Regular yoga practice creates mental clarity, calmness, and relieves chronic stress. Because yoga involves centering practices like deep breathing and focusing on the matter at hand, it takes your mind off stress and reduces it in the long run.

6. It can help you resist temptation. Yoga is all about controlled movements, and these can easily translate to other aspects of your life.

So dust off your yoga mat, make arrangements with a friend, and get ready to celebrate tomorrow's International Day of Yoga! Namaste.