It's no secret that yoga is still all the rage in 2015. People are crazy about yoga and its many styles, from Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Hot Yoga, Power Yoga, Yin Yoga, to even wackier trends like Ganja Yoga! In fact, a National Health Statistics report shows that adults practicing yoga between the ages of 18 and 44 almost doubled in number from 2002 to 2012. Kids are joining in on the fun too, with more than 400,000 children now reported to dabbling in the practice since 2012.

A lot has changed since yoga first burst into the scene as a new age thing, with the proposal of using it to prevent, treat, and alleviate heart disease 30 years ago, dismissed by many in the medical community as laughable. Things couldn't be more different today, as yoga has become one of the most popular methods of staying fit and healthy in the 21st century. Studies now prove the benefits of meditation paired with physical activity, and every day, medical institutions are unraveling even more evidence of the benefits of regular yoga practice on mental and physical well being.

Here is a quick look at the many benefits of yoga. If you haven't given yoga a try, the positive effects highlighted below should hopefully help you make up your mind.

1. Pain Relief

There's strong evidence showing that yoga can be an ideal treatment for relieving and preventing different types of chronic pain. When a team of researchers from Germany compared yoga with an exercise program designed for people with chronic neck pain, they discovered yoga brought down pain scores by more than 50 percent.

With its focus on breathing, stretching, and strength development, it comes as no surprise how yoga can alleviate pain. Of course, this doesn't mean yoga can replace a doctor's visit; it is still crucial that you approach a physician to have your pain examined and ask if you're clear to practice.

2. Improved Quality of Sex

A study done in India involving several women who participated in a 12-week yoga sojourn showed positive results across many aspects of sexuality, from desire, orgasm, to stamina, and satisfaction.

Like most other forms of exercise, yoga improves your body's blood flow and circulation, and that includes the flow into your genital area. This leads to an increase in sensation during sex, and arguably better orgasms.

Regular yoga practice also develops muscles around your core, pelvis, glutes, and quads, making you stronger and increasing your stamina in between the sheets. And since yoga is about keeping your mind in tune with your body, many researchers believe it can also increase your sexual desire.

3. Better State of Mind

You can dismiss it all you want as new age mumbo jumbo, but MRI tests show that yoga practices such as asanas (poses) and pranayama (breathwork) have a clear effect on the brain. Regular meditation during yoga practice has been shown to change the structure of the brain, showing strong evidence between yoga meditation and practitioners being less emotional volatile, less stressed, and more contented.