Though the media has periodically painted it as a craze or fad since it became popular in the United States in the 1960s, at this point in time it’s hard to imagine the fitness scene without yoga. Yoga is valued for its ability to help build muscle, add flexibility and reduce stress; it's even started to creep into body building and aerobic websites. And possibly the best part of yoga is that you need very little cash to start out, and it can help you save a couple of bucks in a few surprising places.
Starting Out Cheap
Getting started in yoga is as simple as acquiring a yoga mat and a couple of pillows; if you are a beginner having a couple of thick phone books and a towel will also help you ease into positions your body is not familiar with. You can easily go to the store and spend $20-$30 on a yoga kit, which will typically include a video, yoga blocks, a strap and a mat, though the only piece of yoga equipment you really need to start is a yoga mat. A nice, thick mat will last for years (although you don't need a thick mat and a thin mat will also last for years) and can be picked up from REI (prices vary). You’ll also need a video or book to show the basic asanas (yoga positions) and breathing practices, so you can expect to spend up to about $30 if you order through an online retailer like Gaiam, though you can also find yoga videos available for free at your local library or online.
It’s important to remember that you don’t need the latest and greatest equipment or attire. In fact, one of the reasons yoga became popular in the U.S. and maintains its popularity is the frugality associated with starting a practice. Starting out, you can expect to spend $45 or so in one-time expenses, a far cry from the $360-$600 you’ll spend annually on a gym membership that you may not use.
Saving with Yoga
Yoga has been recommended by major health publications such as the Mayo Clinic for its ability to help practitioners in managing stress and the health-damaging habits that go with it, such as eating in reaction to stress and smoking. Maintaining a program of postures, breathing, meditation and relaxation has been noted to help women curb binge eating. If your trip to the grocery store seems more expensive than it should because you're eating too many comfort foods or if you find yourself dining out more frequently than necessary as a reaction to not having enough time to cook, you may find that yoga helps you save money on your overall food bill.
Using yoga to help in smoking cessation can also save you serious cash; a one-pack a day smoker will spend around $1450 to $2000 a year on cigarettes. While yoga is not a magic bullet in helping overcome any addiction, it may help make quitting smoking easier. Some smokers find that practicing deep breathing and the ability to focus the mind on the present that is a part of many yoga practices can help, specifically in neutralizing the cravings and weight gain that are associated with nicotine withdrawal.
Pain Management and Alleviation
Many muscle aches and pains can be remedied by reducing stress and correcting poor anatomical alignment, which are two major benefits one can expect out of a continued yoga practice. Yoga not only helps to increase flexibility, but makes you aware of your body positioning and balance that can help to reduce bad habits during your average workday. People unconsciously clinch their muscles and strain their bodies due to a number of factors: an improperly positioned desk chair, poor sleeping positions, uncomfortable shoes and even bad posture. These contracted muscles and misaligned bones can create chronic pain over time. For some, simply focusing on their body long enough to recognize a tightened muscle can help them to release the tension; in others, a long-term practice may help to repair damage. In a classic example, many people who report lower back pain notice a marked decrease in pain when they practice yoga asanas that increase the flexibility of their hips. If you suffer from chronic pain, consider talking to your doctor to see if you could benefit from staring a yoga practice. Consider the money you could be saving in specialist copays, over the counter medications and possibly even prescriptions.
What benefits have you noticed from your yoga practice? Do you find yourself more limber, pain-free or less likely to eat as a result of less stress?
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