Yoga has been growing in popularity for the past few decades, to the point that it’s become synonymous with increasing your flexibility, as well as increasing balance, strength, and a few other notable benefits. However, what many people may not have realized is that there are a variety of other benefits associated with the practice, some of which many people may find surprising. While it may not cure many of these illnesses and ailments, yoga can have a significant impact on a the following notable conditions:

1. Anxiety
Yoga for anxiety may be one of the more prominent things that people associate with the practice. This is chiefly because many people have been using yoga for anxiety for decades because of the core benefits breathing and calming benefits on the physical body and mind. The majority of these benefits are similar to many other exercise routines because of the natural chemicals that it can help produce in the body, such as serotonin. Unlike many different methods, however, yoga can also be one of the more peaceful routines to choose from. For one, it’s typically practiced in a calm and relaxing atmosphere that can help reduce your anxiety levels.

2. Pain management
Many us of unfortunately suffer from chronic pain, some of which may not be completely gotten rid of with the likes of medication alone. Chronic pain can be caused by rheumatoid or osteoarthritis, lower back pain, shoulder pain, and much more. However, what many people may not realize is that yoga can have a significant impact on chronic pain by increasing mobility, lessening stiffness, and boosting muscle strength. However, if you do suffer from a chronic pain condition, seek approval from your doctor before undertaking yoga as you should always ensure that you’re not causing any further damage to your body.

3. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, may be the most surprising thing that yoga can help with, although it’s been shown to have quite an impact on the condition. This is because of a number of different reasons, with one of the most notable being that it can help calm your central nervous system and increase the flow of oxygenated blood. This can result in many of the symptoms of PMS (i.e., cramps, bloating, headache, etc.) being drastically reduced. You can also release a number of endorphins in your body. These endorphins are known for their mood-elevating compounds, which can have quite an effect on the overall symptoms that you may be feeling.

Yoga can have quite a number of different ailments and conditions, with the above being just some of the more prominent. With that in mind, it can end up having a number of different benefits for your overall health, especially when practiced regularly.