Who doesn’t want to be healthy? Health is one of the main pillars to our daily functioning, and we all wish to prevent future diseases and health crises as much as possible. But the question remains: how do we do this as women?

Women specifically face unique health challenges in all aspects of their life, from PMS to menopause; there are many health concerns women have to deal with, so how can we prevent adding more to this list? Experts say that exercise can reduce your risk of major illnesses, such as coronary heart disease, stroke, and cancer, and lower your risk of early death by up to 30% but how do we know what exercise will be the best choice?

Every day there is a new article about the next big thing in health and how it can change your life. It can be quite confusing to know what’s actually going to be good for you. Yoga, despite being very accessible for every age, rarely appears in this conversation (probably because it hasn’t been trending on TikTok). This is why we are going to discuss here the role of yoga in women’s physical, mental and hormonal health and why you should get into yoga.

One of the main benefits of yoga is the physical benefits. As mentioned in other blogs, yoga poses such as Pincha Mayurasana, figure of four and boat pose help to strengthen the upper body whilst simultaneously improving flexibility, helping to prevent muscle tears and also muscle deterioration. This means you can feel stronger for longer! However, the health benefits don’t just stop there, they appear even more internally. Studies have shown that yoga improves bone density, preventing osteoporosis and also preventing further injury. Both of these diseases are more common in women; therefore, it is crucial that women make extra effort in exercising frequently to implement these preventative measures into their daily life.

• Increases strength, flexibility, and posture.
• Improves bone density and supports cardiovascular health.

There are multiple preventative mental and emotional benefits to yoga that are not widely discussed. Everyone knows that exercise can help to reduce and exert stress, however it is lesser known that it helps to prevent anxiety and depression. Yoga specifically focuses on mentality and aligning the body with the mind. This specific focus in yoga, helps to set it apart from other physical exercise forms. The preventative nature of yoga is furthered through its effects of regulating sleep and emotions, preventing insomnia and even diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

• Reduces stress, anxiety, and depression.
• Improves sleep and emotional regulation.

Hormones and reproductive health are significant in the lives of women. Cycles, menstrual cramps and hormonal mood swings are a part of everyday life and can cause distress and put a stop to daily life. This is where yoga can come in as a preventative measure, as it helps to relieve these symptoms and helps to heighten the quality of life, leading to a happier life.

For women dealing with menopause, this stage of their lives can be tricky and a hard transition stage of their lives. Yoga in this regard helps to reduce hot flashes and also reduces night sweats, which can help to improve the quality of sleep and, in turn, life quality. Another symptom it alleviates is the drop in heart health that happens in menopause due to the decrease of estrogen, ensuring health can be kept at a high level for a long and happy life.

• Eases PMS, menstrual cramps, and hormonal mood swings.
• Helps manage menopause symptoms and hormonal transitions.

It’s clear through research, that the benefits of yoga on women’s preventative health are abundant. From fostering physical well-being, to nurturing mental equilibrium, the positive impact on women is compelling enough to inspire anyone, and particularly women, to embrace the practice of yoga. Yoga’s holistic approach addresses various aspects of women’s health, offering an effective path to prevention and wellness. Overall, this makes it the perfect option for someone looking to start their preventative health journey and join the community. But where do you start?

Firstly, finding a good teacher who genuinely cares and respects the practice is crucial to guide you through the early stages, as it can be daunting at first. Next, whether you’re attending a class or practicing at home, having the right tools makes a difference such as a yoga mat to ensure that you have a comfy surface to kneel and sit on,and  a supportive women sports bra / pair of leggings. If you have these then you’re all set! The great thing about yoga is that the equipment is minimal so you don’t have to splash out on expensive weights or a peloton, so why not give it a go!

Good luck in your yoga journey!