3 Important Reasons to Try Yoga This Winter
By Genevieve Cunningham
Yoga. When many people think of this exercise routine, they imagine the warm summer months. They think about yoga pants, bare feet, and snug little tank tops. But yoga is an exercise that can be done at any time of year, and with the cool months ahead, now is actually a great time to begin the practice. If you're not currently into yoga, take a look at these three reasons why winter is a great time to give it a try.
Because Cool Weather Can Make the Muscles Stiff
The cold weather is great. It's great for snuggling in the bed. It's great for getting cozy under a blanket. It's great for warm hot drinks you can feel in your stomach. But the cold weather can also make your muscles incredibly stiff. This is where yoga can make a big difference. When you participate in yoga, you stretch the muscles very deeply. Your muscles demand oxygen, which your heart then pumps to your extremities through oxygenated blood. After a few minutes, you may notice that your muscles feel more flexible, but you may also notice that your entire body feels warmer and more comfortable as well.
Because Yoga Might Boost the Immune System
Winter brings with it cold and flu season. While we can't avoid all instances of the cold and flu, it can really help if we focus on boosting the immune system. This can be done through taking Vitamin C, washing your hands often, and getting enough rest. But yoga, which helps every system in the body to work more efficiently, can also help boost the immune system. Those who practice regularly often notice that they feel better as a whole on a more regular basis. And since the winter is the most common time to experience illness, now is a great time to pick up the practice and get your immunities ready for what's ahead.
Because Winter Workouts are the Best
You may have heard that summer bodies are made in the winter. This couldn't be any more true. If your goal is to strengthen, tone, or lose weight, then it really needs to begin in winter. If you wait until the summer months to try and sculpt a summer body, you won't have enough time to reach your goals. Beginning yoga right now can help build muscles, burn fat, and get a stronger and more capable body before the warmer months roll around. It also helps that workouts in the winter keep the body warm, flexible, and feeling good all the way around.
If you're not already into yoga, now is a great time to start. You'll probably notice serious benefits to both the body and mind. Join a class, throw on a YouTube video, or follow a routine in a book. Do whatever it takes to get in some nice relaxing yoga, and you'll be ready for better health all winter long. It and chiropractic care complement each other.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Charlotte, N.C.