Practise of yoga leads to physiological benefits e.g. by increasing cardiovascular efficiency, decreasing respiratory rate etc; psychological benefits e.g. improving social skills, balancing mood swings etc and biochemical benefits e.g. by decreasing sodium and glucose levels in blood.

Some of the benefits of yoga are listed below-
•   Improvement in mental health
•   Development of personal and social values
•   Anti-ageing
•   Flexibility of body and toned muscles

•   Helps in reducing weight and improving strength
•   Helps in relaxing and energizing
•   Helps in getting a broader perspective of life
•   Leads to happiness and peace within-a general sense of well being
•   Detoxification by flushing out toxic substances

Yoga is about clearing away whatever is in us that prevents our living in the most full and whole way. With yoga, we become aware of how and where we are restricted -- in body, mind, and heart -- and how gradually to open and release these blockages. As these blockages are cleared, our energy is freed. We start to feel more harmonious, more at one with ourselves. Our lives begin to flow -- or we begin to flow more in our lives.

CYBELE TOMLINSON, Simple Yoga