Stave off mental decline: In one study, participants who did a combination of yoga and meditation as opposed to a brain-training exercise performed much better on a test of visuospatial memory, a type of remembering that is important for balance, depth perception and the ability to recognize objects and navigate the world.Improve balance: Male athletes in one study displayed better balance after 10 weeks of yoga classes than a control group of athletes who did not change their routines.Strengthen bones: In one small study, yoga practitioners were shown to have increased bone density in their spine and hips, compared to people in a control group.Reduce back pain: Weekly yoga classes relieve symptoms of low back pain about as well as intense, regular stretching sessions.In recent years, more and more research is demonstrating the wide-ranging health benefits of yoga. Timothy McCall, the author of “Yoga as Medicine,” and that can help you to move with greater ease. In addition, yoga’s focus on the breath can calm you and help you learn to be more mindful of your body, says Dr. “Relaxation is built into every yoga session.” Yoga also has “a restorative side that is deeply relaxing and rejuvenating,” Dr. In general, a complete yoga workout can help keep your back and joints healthy, improve your overall posture, stretch and strengthen muscles and improve your balance, says Roger Cole, Ph.D., a psychobiologist and certified Iyengar yoga teacher. The benefits of a regular yoga practice are wide-ranging. Yoga is not one-size-fits-all: The best yoga workout for you will depend on your individual needs and goals. Props like blocks, blankets and straps - even chairs - can be used to help you get the most benefit from the poses. If a pose causes pain or proves too difficult, there are variations and modifications that can be made to help students. A set of specific exercises, called poses, combined with specific breathing techniques and meditation principles are the building blocks of a yoga class.