How Did Yoga Become Such A Trend?
When you take a look at your circle of friends, the chances are at least two of them are practicing yoga. As a matter of fact, a study conducted in 2012 has revealed that there are at least 20.4 million active yogis in the United States alone. But that number was significantly lower thirty years ago before yoga became a global phenomenon.
Even though yogis from India started introducing Westerners to yoga in the beginning of the 20th century, it became a trend in the 1990s when celebrities such as Sting and Madonna started talking about the practice to the media and gave it credit for their incredible physical shape. Of course, everyone wanted to know more and give yoga a try. But the popularity of yoga would have faded away quickly if there weren’t plenty of benefits that came with regular practice.
So if you are wondering how yoga became such a trend, here are the main reasons:
Yoga is versatile
While standard exercising can be repetitive and unimaginative, there are various types of yoga that will suit you depending on your fitness level, age, or goals. Hatha is perfect for beginners because it will teach you the basics and work on your muscles in a gentle way. On the other hand, you can try Ashtanga if you want to challenge your body and mind. And if you need a whole new approach to keep things exciting, check out Hot Yoga. You will not have a boring moment as a yogi because there are always new things to try.
It is available anytime
Yoga studios are everywhere nowadays, and if you are just starting out, a local studio will be a great option to teach you the basics. However, you can do yoga in the privacy of your own home, or anywhere in the world for that matter. All you need is a mat or any comfortable surface, and you are good to go. Yoga does not require plenty of equipment or a gym membership which means that it is available to everyone at all times.
Yoga has health benefits
If you start practicing yoga regularly, you will notice that your body is getting stronger and more flexible very quickly. But there are other health benefits of yoga such as curing insomnia, lowering stress levels, relieving back pain, and improving circulation. And not to mention that it can help you lose weight. Yoga is not your typical exercise regime – it is a technique that works on your body and mind at the same time, making you capable of tackling your day to day tasks with more enthusiasm and focus.
Everyone can do it
There is a widespread misconception that yoga is for young and athletic women only. This couldn’t be further from the truth because yoga can be practiced by anyone, regardless of age or fitness level. There might be some modifications depending on where your body is right now, but absolutely everyone can try it. And you don’t have to compete with another person because yoga is all about the personal journey.
Conclusion
Yoga did originate in ancient India, but it is now more popular than ever. As a matter of fact, the number of yogis is on a constant rise. So grab a yoga mat and start learning today because yoga can transform you from the inside out.
