According to a study by the American College of Sports Medicine, yoga practice could do more than increasing strength, flexibility and muscle tone. It also helps in improving motivation, concentration and lessens anxiety.

Traci A. Statler, a Sports Pschology consultant from California University says “There is definitely some mental and psychological health benefits to perform yoga”.

While in the west, Yoga is basically considered to be more of a physical activity, in the East, Yoga is employed as a relaxation technique to focus the mind, achieve clarity and to develop a positive outlook.

Statler and colleagues studied eighty four colleges that participated in a regular Hatha Yoga class during a ten weeks semester, so that the benefits of yoga which is beyond just flexibility and strength could be gauged. Standard tests to gauge the level of motivation, concentration and anxiety were conducted during the second week of the class and then later during the ninth week.

Statler mentions that she was “very pleased” and “astonished” by the improvement levels in all three areas. Yoga practice was associated with significant improvement in attention, and concentration. The yoga students reported that they were in a better position to focus on appropriate tasks and to avoid irrelevant information. The students also showed less anxiety and more motivation to succeed.

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