If you’ve faced breast cancer, you know how hard it can be to get back in the swing of everyday life after treatment. After your courageous battle, it’s important to find an outlet that allows you to take care of yourself mentally and physically. For many women, this outlet is yoga. Yoga is a wonderful exercise that combines both physical activity and meditation. This gentle activity is a fun and relaxing way to help heal both your body and your mind. On top of those benefits, yoga classes are also great places to meet new friends(opens in a new tab), start new relationships, and build support systems. It’s no secret as to why this activity is so popular. If you’ve never tried yoga before, here are some reasons you’ll want to check it out. Note: Please consult with your doctor before participating in any form of physical activity. Also, by no means is yoga a cure to cancer or any other disease.
Physical Health
Yoga provides many health benefits. Improved flexibility is one of the most obvious benefits of yoga. Over time, the stretching motions in this activity help you become more limber. As your muscles loosen, you might also notice less aches and pains in your body due to tight joints loosening. Yoga is also a strengthening exercise. Instead of focusing on individual muscles, yoga targets core muscle groups. This approach helps you build strength with less risk of getting injured in the process. One more major benefit of yoga is increased blood flow. Deep breathing exercises and instructed body alignment allow more oxygen to reach your blood cells. This exercise also has the ability to boost the levels of hemoglobin and red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the tissues.
Mental Health
If you’re stressed out or tense, yoga might be able to help. The deep breathing exercises commonly used during this exercise are meant to calm and soothe the mind. In tandem, yoga helps relieve tension and stress in the body. This calming combination can help you relax, clear your mind, and get rid of negative energy. Reminder: If you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, or any other mental illness, yoga is not a cure. Please see your doctor immediately.
Confidence
Last, but certainly not least, is one of our favorite benefits of yoga: it builds confidence. It gives you the power to learn new skills, strengthen your body, and set goals for yourself—all within a community or class of people that will support and encourage you. Yoga opens up the opportunity for you to see just how strong, powerful, and beautiful you truly are, despite what you’ve faced in the past. Interested in other ways to stay calm and centered throughout the day? Check out these techniques(opens in a new tab).
