Mental benefits include:

• increased body awareness
• relieves chronic stress patterns in the body
• refreshes the body by relieving muscle strain
• relaxes the mind and body
• centres attention
• sharpens concentration
• frees the spirit

The many physical benefits of hatha yoga are:

• improved flexibility and muscle joint mobility
• strengthens, tones, and builds muscles
• corrects posture
• strengthens the spine
• eases back pain
• improves muscular-skeletal conditions such as bad knees, tight shoulders and neck, swayback and scoliosis
• increases stamina
• creates balance and grace
• stimulates the glands of the endocrine system
• improves digestion and elimination
• increases circulation
• improves heart conditions
• improves breathing disorders
• boosts immune response
• decreases cholesterol and blood sugar levels
• encourages weight loss

Yoga is distinctly different from other kinds of exercise. It generates motion without causing strain and imbalances in the body. When practiced correctly, hatha yoga has no such negative effects on either the inner or outer body.

Everyone can benefit from following a regular yoga practice, as it counteracts many of the problems suffered in modern life.

Yoga frees the practitioner both physically and mentally, often heightening intuition and creativity.