Though those certainly are two fantastic benefits of the practice (with the flexibility also comes stronger and leaner muscles), that’s truly only scratching the surface of all the good it

can do for your body. From better bowel movements to steamier sex, you might be surprised what a little time on the mat can do. IMPROVES DIGESTION Sure, you can stock your kitchen with

probiotic yogurt and fiber-rich foods, but practicing yoga can also help get things moving. “There are many postures, especially twists, designed to massage the internal organs and keep food

moving along,” says Yoga Means Business co-founder and yoga director Jen Kluczkowski. “Easier digestion equals more energy for the body. In yoga, we always twist right first, then left, to

Association_ found that a steady yoga practice is tied to mindful eating, particularly through breath awareness, which strengthens the mind-body connection. “The quality of the breath is a

direct reflection of what is going on in the body. [Through yoga you learn to read it and work with it],” says Genevieve Gilbreath, founder of Herbal Zap L.L.C. That means you’ll be better

equipped to gauge your hunger and enjoy just enough to satisfy it without going overboard. If you need to reach for a snack, follow these healthy snack alternatives for every craving. BOOSTS

BRAIN FUNCTION Sure, exercise in general can improve brain function, but yoga specifically has some very real mental benefits. “Yoga uses the body and breath as tools to create equanimity

and clarity in the mind,” says Kluczkowski. “By synching movement with steady, conscious breath, we feel less stress and can better focus. A study in the _Journal of Physical Activity and

Health_ found that 20 minutes of Hatha yoga stimulates brain function more than walking or jogging on the treadmill for the same amount of time.” BOOSTS IMMUNITY Yoga boosts immunity at the

cellular level through changes in gene expression, according to a study published in the journal _PLoSOne_. It gets better: You don’t have to practice for months to reap the rewards. These

benefits can be experienced rather quickly—while you’re still on the mat—according to the research. Stick with it, though. The improved overall health from constant practice will also

strengthen your internal defense system. RESULTS IN HOTTER SEX Yes, you read that correctly. And we’re talking about more than just increased flexibility. Although, it’s worth repeating,

that’s definitely one of the benefits here. Yoga helps reduce anxiety and increases body awareness and confidence in addition to speeding the release of hormones that boost arousal and

increase blood flow to the genital area. But men aren’t the only ones that see better bedroom performance—and pleasure—from yoga practice; yoga seriously enhances a woman’s experience in the

bedroom via greater lubrication, and more powerful orgasms as a result of strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, a study published in the _Journal of Sexual Medicine_ found. Maximize your

sex drive when you add these 5 foods that supercharge your mood. MAKES YOU BETTER AT YOUR JOB “It’s becoming better known that insights, creativity and ideas only come by giving yourself

space and stillness,” says Kluczkowski. “And yoga and meditation are becoming increasingly essential to success in today’s business world. Yoga moves the body, creating physical space and

stirring up energy. Then, when we sit in meditation, we observe that energy settle so we feel deep stillness. This extra ‘head space’ leads to better decisions, better work relationships and

increased productivity.” Make this move count after reading the 9 ways your job is making you fat.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e PROMOTES DEEP RELAXATION “One of the biggest benefits of

yoga is that it can activate the parasympathetic nervous system,” notes Gilbreath. This offsets the fight-or-flight responses associated with the sympathetic nervous system. “Yoga also helps

to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Most people have too much stress in their lives and thus too much cortisol in their bodies. Excess cortisol can suppress thyroid function,

decrease muscle tissue, increase blood pressure, lower immunity, and increase inflammatory responses.” So by practicing yoga, you help counteract those effects. In addition, follow these 20

surprising ways to drop the pounds in your sleep. _Courtesy of Men’s Fitness_ Eat This, Not That! Inspired by The New York Times best-selling book series, Eat This, Not That! is a brand

that's comprised of an award-winning team of journalists and board-certified experts, doctors, nutritionists, chefs, personal trainers, and dietitians who work together to bring you

accurate, timely, informative, and actionable content on food, nutrition, dieting, weight loss, health, wellness, and more. Read more about Eat This