Over 15 million people practice yoga – and that’s just in the United States! Yes, it’s a popular fitness routine, but yoga’s been around for thousands of years. Ancient people used yoga for the same purposes we do: to foster a healthy lifestyle and personal reflection.

The ultimate goal of yoga is to connect your mind, your body and your breath. Of course, practicing yoga has plenty of other physical and mental benefits.

Improves strength, flexibility, and posture: Yoga is all about stretching your muscles. Stretching releases the lactic acid that builds up in your muscles. The more you stretch, the more flexible you’ll become. Over time, you’ll notice your muscles become more firm and elongated. You might not feel it, but you’re constantly working your core in most standing and seated postures.

Keeps you healthy: Say goodbye to sick days! Yoga boosts your immunity because it forces you to focus on breathing. By simply breathing better, your circulation flows better and bodily systems function better. Who doesn’t appreciate that?

Boosts your energy and focus: Devote an hour of your day to yoga. Turn off your cell phone, step away from your laptop, and focus on you. The power of intention is a wonderful, real thing. Once you return to your daily life post-practice, your mind will be revitalized and ready to tackle that to-do list.

Makes you happy: Stress management is a huge part of yoga. Because you’re forced to clear your mind during your practice, you leave all your worries behind as soon as you hit your mat. Instead, you spend a good 30 to 60 minutes solely on your body and breathing. Breath in, get that stress out! Now, what were you worried about again?

Tones and trims your body: With yoga, you don’t need weights or long hours of cardio to tone up! Stretching works wonders for your muscles and joints. The purpose of each yoga pose is to reinforce and stabilize muscles around your spine.

Ready to hit the mat? Tell us why you started practicing yoga on our Facebook and Twitter accounts!