Physical Benefits

• Increases range of motion in the joints.
• Increases muscle tone. (From the larger ones to some of the smaller, less-used muscles.)
• Increases endurance. (This depends on the style, as some are more conducive to improving endurance, such as vinyasa, ashtanga, and other power styles.)
• Helps develop motor skills for kids.
• Improves balance.
• Improves coordination.
• Improves posture. (Increases in strength, especially core strength, flexibility, and bodily awareness can lead to improvements in posture. Moreover, each pose give specific attention and focus to proper alignment.)
• Improves respiration. (Increased lung capacity due to yoga’s emphasis on deeper and fuller breathing.)
• Improves circulation of blood.
• Improves stress-management (or less stress). (Yoga’s emphasis on deepening and lengthening the breath helps to initiate the body’s relaxation response.)
• Lowers levels of adrenaline, cortisol, and catechol amines (all responses to   stress.)
• Increases energy and vitality.
• Lowers blood pressure.
• Lowers pulse rate.
• Lowers cholesterol.
• Eases the symptoms of asthma.
• Facilitates weight loss. (Primarily through better lifestyle choices.)
• Strengthens the immune system.
• Improves oxygen delivery to cells.
• Helps to prevent loss of bone density (osteoporosis).
• Reduces or even eliminates pain, both acute and chronic. (Including those associated with arthritis and fibromyalgia.)
• Improves sleep and decreases symptoms and occurrence of insomnia.
• Improve conditions of irregular heart rhythm.
• Helps to maintain a balanced metabolism.
• Protects against future injury.
• Aids the recovery of stroke victims.
• Massages the internal organs.
• Improves lymphatic functioning.
• Helps prevent hardening of the arteries.
• Aids and improves digestion and elimination processes.
• Helps to detoxify the body.
• Increases the Galvanic skin response.
• Improves depth perception.
• Improves endocrine functioning (normalization).
• Reduces sodium levels.
• Increases level of red blood cells.
• Increases core stability.
• Improves agility.
• Improves reaction time.
• Decreases inflammatory markers.
• Decrease in cellular aging.
• Reduces blood glucose levels. (Especially helpful for diabetics.)
• Aids in sensory integration (especially helpful for both kids and adults with Autism).
• Improves lipid profile.
• Improves symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. (Improved grip and reduction of pain.)
• Decreases occurrence of tension headaches and migraines.
• Relieves some symptoms and discomfort associated with menstruation and menopause.
• Promotes nasal breathing. (Filters, warms, and humidifies the air).
• Aids in common pregnancy discomforts such as bloating and backaches.
• Often helps make labour shorter and easier.
• Helps manage the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
• Improves spinal curvature. (Can even help straighten curvature associated with scoliosis.)
• Elevates brain gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) levels. (Lows levels are associated with Alzheimer’s disease.)
• Improves sexual functioning.
• Calms the nervous system.
• Nourishes intervertebral discs.

Mental and Emotional Benefits

• Increases experience of relaxation.
• Provides a deeper appreciation for the present moment, or mindfulness.
• Allows for greater mind control, or control over the thoughts.
• Increases mental clarity.
• Improves concentration and focus.
• Improves self-discipline.
• Expands imagination and creativity (especially in children).
• Elevates mood and feelings of contentment.
• Increases self-awareness.
• Increases self-confidence.
• Increases optimism.
• Provides much-needed “me-time.” (Especially important for parents)
• Increases mental strength, or willpower.
• Improves symptoms of certain neuropsychiatric disorders. (Including schizophrenia and ADHD.)
• Reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• Improves learning efficiency.
• Improvements in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
• Reduces symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
• Fosters a healthier body-image.
• Improves emotional control. (Especially over feelings such as anger or hostility.)
• Improves self-control. (Contributes to better choices and habits.)
• Increases experience of positive emotions. (Joy, peace.)
• Decreases experience of negative emotions. (Fear, frustration, worries.)
• Improves the mind-body connection. (Comes from synchronizing breathing with movement. Retrains the mind to find a place a peace and calm.)
• Improves relationships with others.
• May decrease feelings of loneliness (especially in elderly practitioners).
• Increases sense of emotional healing and well-being.
• Increases ability to handle disappointment and adversity.
• Increases open-mindedness.
• Improves intuitive abilities.
• Increases sense of community. (When practiced in a group setting.)

Spiritual Benefits

• Encourages self-knowledge.
• Stimulates the energy centres of the body.
• Increases ability to manifest positive experiences in daily life.
• Discovery or connection with one’s sense of purpose or meaning in life.
• Creates a sense of being more in-tune with one’s inner consciousness.
• Leads to a greater sense of connectedness to others and the world.
• Develops a sense of connection to something greater than ourselves. (Nature, the universe, one’s God or gods, or some other expression of the divine.)
• Fosters a greater sense of appreciation of each experience for what it is.
• Fosters a deeper sense of gratitude in general.
•  Leads to a sense of fulfilment