5 Reasons Women Should Do Yoga

There are plenty of women out there who are intimidated or uninterested when it comes to yoga. This post is for them. (Please pass it on to you the women in your life who think yoga isn’t for them.)

1. There’s a yoga for you no matter what stage of life you’re in at the moment—adolescence through menopause. 

Whether you’re trying out for the cheerleading team or preparing to be a great-grandmother, you can modify the practice to suit your energy level and health concerns, and prepare you for what’s next in life.

2. You are SO worth it! 

I see so many women get bogged down in work and home obligations (and guilt!) that they let things that are important to them slide in order to take care of the people around them. But you wouldn’t want the people you love to put themselves last, so don’t set that example! If you’re not practicing yoga because you think you don’t have time, make time! Your health is important to you and all the people who love you.

3. Yoga IS for every body type. 

Skinny, fat, tall, short, muscular, flexible, stiff–whatever! You don’t have to be young, flexible, ballerina-type to reap the many benefits. Yogis come in all shapes and sizes, so don’t get caught up in appearances. Just show up. Breathe. Be yourself. Modify when you need to. And absorb the teachings. You’ll be glad you did!

4. It will make you feel fantastic about yourself—body issues and all! 

On those days when I feel fat, bloated, or just plain blah, the best medicine is a solid hour or two on my mat. In our culture body issues run rampant for women. You can blame the media, your mother, or whatever else you like, but yoga teaches us that we have control of own feelings, thoughts, emotions and, yes, obsessions. Yoga has helped me to see that no matter what the models in advertisements look like, I’m perfect just the way I am. I may not have society’s idea of the perfect body, but I’m strong, supple, and healthy–and that is my idea of perfect. Thank you very much.

5. A regular and consistent yoga practice will give you more energy to do the things you enjoy in life. 

And the more you do what you enjoy, the happier you’ll be as a whole.