SIX REASONS WE KEEP CHOOSING THE MAT, EVERY TIME
Where we reset, realign, and rise again
We know, we know… You’ve heard it before. Yoga is great, and if you’re not doing it, you definitely should be. But if you’re like us, sometimes you need a little bit of motivation to get your ass back to the mat. First things first, stop beating yourself up about it. It’s called a Yoga practice for a reason. That’s exactly what we’re doing, practising Yoga, not mastering Yoga. Which sounds pretty damn cheesy, we agree. But it also means it’s totally okay to fall out of practice now and again. Believe us when we tell you, you are not alone! What matters more is that you consistently make your way back to the mat. Here, we give you our top reasons, science-backed even, for making time for our mats regularly.
- Improved flexibility
We’d be lying if we said improved flexibility wasn’t one of the top reasons we keep up a Yoga practice. But it’s not only because we like being flexible. Who doesn’t love a juicy forward fold? We know what it feels like when we stop practising. And you know what we found? Things hurt. We’re young at heart, but our backs still hurt every once in a while, just like everybody else. Studies suggest that pure flexibility offers little benefit. Omg! What? I know. We said it, and we’re Yoga teachers, and we’re not gonna take it back. Keep in mind, it’s not the flexibility that we’re aiming for; it’s what comes with flexibility that we’re after: like, for example, increased circulation to muscles, which then increases their longevity and active potential. And all that really means is we significantly reduce our chances of injury.
- Improved attitude and mental state
Just like you, we get mad now and again. Okay angry. Okay, really annoyed. We’re human, not mythical creatures, as hard as we may try. Maybe in our next lifetime things will turn out differently, but for now, we do our best. Have you ever jumped on your Yoga mat when you’re really frustrated? Is it just us, or is your practice just that much more amazing? You push that much harder, hold that much longer, and breathe that much deeper. And in the end, your body is pumped with feel-good endorphins, and you walk away with that Yoga high. It only takes one of these classes to get hooked, and over time, you start to notice the deep-breathing exercise happening unconsciously off the mat, which leads us to our next point.
- Increased respiration and overall quality of breath
After your first year of seriously practising Yoga, you probably started to notice a change in your breathing patterns, especially if you were hanging around those who weren’t. Something is fulfilling about the ability to take in a completely controlled breath, and the satisfaction that comes with the exhale; it’s good. But what’s fascinating is how disconnected people have become from their breath, and the truly transformative properties that accompany its control.
- That change in the way you look at life
We’ve said it already, but there’s something special about that Yoga. That sense of freedom walking out of a magical Yoga session. Your day is a little brighter, the world seems a little nicer, and life runs a little more smoothly. And that’s the real magic of Yoga. You begin to recognise your positive and negative states of being, and how much more enjoyable life is when we’re floating around in that positive state. All the little gems of wisdom the Yoga teachers say about letting go, being in the moment, and connecting regularly to the breath begin to register outside of class.
- Increased muscle strength and tone
So, here’s the thing: Yoga isn’t about nailing a handstand, jumping into a crow pose, or transitioning from 8-angle into a vinyasa, but we’d be lying if we didn’t tell you how strong Yoga can make you. And the best part is, you don’t even need to do those crazy postures mentioned above to begin building strength. Find teachers who challenge you physically, who teach you how to take your practice to the next step by challenging your body in the positions. Yoga is all about building blocks, even the posture. If you take your time, take it step by step, and don’t cheat yourself on the practice, one day you can nail that pose, too. Whether you’re looking for a stronger triangle or a stronger crow, the same rules will apply.
- Helps you sleep
Lastly. Yoga. Helps. You. Sleep. But why? Of all the systems in the body, the two most helpful to understand for our Yoga practice are the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) nervous systems. Throughout our day, we bounce around between the two of them as we navigate the various stresses of life. But in 2026, for many of us, life has us mostly in this sympathetic state, constantly worrying about work, home life, kids, friends, family, and the list goes on. Yoga, specifically our savasana practice, teaches us how beneficial the rest-and-digest state can be. And over time, savasana becomes a muscle-memory experience for us when we go to bed at night.
At the end of the day, coming back to the mat isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up for yourself, again and again. Some days will feel strong and effortless, while others might feel heavy and resistant, and that’s all part of the journey. What truly matters is that you return, even if it’s just for a few mindful breaths. At AYM Yoga School, Goa, we see this transformation every day, students arriving with hesitation and leaving with a deeper connection to themselves. And if you feel ready to take your practice beyond the mat, our Yoga Teacher Training courses are designed to guide you deeper into this journey, both physically and spiritually. Because Yoga isn’t just something you do, it’s something you live.
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