Count on yoga - 30 reasons to do yoga

10. Heart Start

When you regularly get your heart rate into the aerobic range, you can lower your risk of heart attack and relieve depression. While not all yoga is aerobic, if you do it vigorously or take flow or Ashtanga classes, it can boost your heart rate into the aerobic range. But even yoga excercises that don't get your heart rate up that high can improve cardiovascular conditioning . Studies have found that yoga practice lowers the resting heart rate, increases endurance and can improve your maximum uptake of oxygen during excercise - all reflections of improved aerobic conditioning.