The Benefits of Yoga (From Someone Who Couldn’t Touch Their Toes)
I’ll be honest: the first time I heard the word yoga, I thought of incense, chanting, and people folding themselves into pretzel shapes. Not me, basically. The idea of standing on one leg while breathing deeply felt a bit… out there. I could barely sit cross-legged without my hips screaming.
Fast forward a few years, and now I can’t imagine my week without it. Not because I’ve become some enlightened guru — far from it — but because yoga genuinely makes life easier. My back’s happier, I sleep better, and I don’t swear quite as much when the train’s delayed. So if you’re on the fence about giving it a go, here’s my very down-to-earth take on the Benefits of Yoga.
It’s Not Just About Touching Your Toes
When people hear “yoga,” they picture flexibility. Fair enough. I did too. Truth is, yes, it does loosen you up — slowly, sneakily, and without you even noticing. One day you’re groaning while trying to reach your socks, and a few months later you’re casually bending down to tie your laces without sounding like a haunted house door.
But flexibility is only one slice of the pie. The other big one is strength. And not in the “bench-pressing massive weights” way, but in the subtle, “oh, I can carry my shopping without feeling broken” kind of way. Plank pose, downward dog, warrior — they all use your own body weight. And believe me, your body is heavy enough when you’re holding it up for 30 seconds.
My Desk Posture is Less Tragic
I work at a computer most of the day, slouched like a question mark. Shoulders hunched, neck stiff, back groaning. Not a great look. Yoga, annoyingly, has made me notice all that. The stretches open everything up, and after a while you catch yourself sitting taller without thinking about it. My chiropractor probably misses me.
Balance: Surprisingly Handy
The first time I tried “tree pose,” I wobbled like a toddler learning to walk. But over time, balance improves. It’s one of those things you don’t realise you need until you nearly topple over putting trousers on. Honestly, keeping steady on one leg has saved me from face-planting more than once.
My Back Loves It
This was the game-changer. Years of dodgy office chairs and bad sleeping positions had my lower back constantly nagging. Yoga stretches and strengthens the muscles around the spine, which means less pain and fewer mornings starting with “oof.” If you’ve got a grumpy back, yoga’s worth trying before shelling out on yet another ergonomic gadget from Amazon.
Stress: Down a Notch (or Ten)
Here’s the sneaky bit. You go to yoga thinking you’re just moving and stretching, but the breathing side of things sneaks up on you. Deep inhales, slow exhales — it sounds silly until you try it. Suddenly your shoulders drop, your jaw unclenches, and the day feels less frantic. I’ve done yoga on days when I wanted to throw my laptop out the window, and by the end, the urge had passed.
Sleep Actually Happens
I don’t know about you, but my brain likes to replay every awkward moment I’ve ever had — usually around 2am. On nights like that, a few gentle yoga stretches help calm everything down. Nothing fancy: just lying on the floor, legs up the wall, slow breathing. It’s basically tricking my body into winding down, and it works better than counting sheep.
It’s a Mood Booster (Without the Hangover)
Exercise gives you endorphins, we all know that. But yoga adds mindfulness on top. That combo is like swapping two glasses of wine for something that doesn’t leave you regretting it in the morning. I often go into a class feeling grumpy and come out lighter — not in a mystical sense, just less wound-up.
The Everyday Stuff
This is where yoga really shines. It creeps into daily life:
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Getting out of bed doesn’t feel like a wrestling match.
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Long car journeys don’t leave me as stiff.
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I don’t huff and puff walking up the Tube stairs.
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Even the miserable February weather feels less suffocating when I’ve moved my body a bit.
And here’s something I didn’t expect: the people. Yoga classes can be surprisingly social. You start with a room full of strangers, but over time, you end up having a laugh before class. Sometimes the chats afterwards are as good for the soul as the stretches.
Busting a Few Myths
Let’s clear a few things up, because these put me off for years:
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“I’m not flexible enough.” That’s the point! Nobody walks into yoga able to do the splits. Flexibility is what you gain, not what you start with.
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“It’s just for women.” Rubbish. Plenty of athletes, blokes included, use yoga for recovery and strength.
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“It’s too slow.” Try a Vinyasa or Ashtanga class and then tell me it’s slow. Spoiler: you’ll be dripping.
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“It’s religious.” Yes, it has roots in India’s spiritual traditions, but most UK classes focus on movement, breathing, and relaxation. No chanting required (unless you fancy it).
Finding Your Style
Yoga isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some types are chill, others are brutal:
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Hatha: Nice and slow, perfect for beginners.
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Vinyasa: More flowy, like a dance of sorts. Keeps things moving.
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Ashtanga: Tough. Structured. Expect to sweat buckets.
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Yin: Long, deep stretches. Great if you’re tight and tense.
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Restorative: Basically lying down with cushions. It’s as dreamy as it sounds.
I started with online Hatha classes because nobody could see me wobbling about. Now I mix it up depending on my mood (and how much energy I’ve got after work).
Getting Started (Without Making It a Big Thing)
Honestly, you don’t need much. A mat so you’re not sliding across the carpet, some comfy clothes (leggings, joggers, even pyjamas if you’re at home), and a YouTube video. That’s it. Start with ten minutes a day. Don’t force yourself into shapes, don’t compare yourself to anyone on Instagram, just move a bit and breathe.
The Big Picture
Yoga won’t magically solve everything — your boss will still send annoying emails, and the weather will still be rubbish half the year. But it does make dealing with those things easier. Stronger body, calmer mind, better sleep. Honestly, that’s not a bad trade for half an hour of stretching on a mat.
So if you’ve ever thought, “Yoga isn’t for me,” maybe give it a go. Worst case, you get a nice lie-down at the end (that bit’s called savasana, and it’s basically the adult version of nap time). Best case, it makes life a little less creaky, less stressful, and a lot more bearable.