( CNN ) Making New Year 's resolutions is easy . Keeping them past January is not . Why ? Because simply resolving to do something is n't enough . You need the means to start on the right path and stay the course . Too many of us set large-scale intentions but fall short on a follow-through strategy . That 's where yoga comes in : the ancient practice can provide the resources and support for a multitude of modern-day lifestyle changes . If you 've set any of the top resolutions -- like being happier , getting healthier or sleeping better -- yoga offers ways to transform your resolutions into lasting reality . And it does n't matter if you 're a seasoned yogi or never stepped onto a mat , you can leverage yoga to realize your most ambitious lifestyle goals . Here are seven popular resolutions and how you can fulfill them with yoga : . 1 . Be happier . If you want to be happier , your wandering mind is likely your biggest obstacle . According to a 2010 Harvard study , people spend 47 % of their time thinking about things that are n't happening . Understandably , spending half your life lost in thought is considered a major cause of unhappiness . Yoga is a practice based on mindfulness and awareness that emphasizes using your breath to consistently connect to the present moment . It also teaches you how to breathe deeper and use meditative techniques to tap into your parasympathetic nervous system to reduce stress and increase happy hormones . 2 . Get healthier . Whether you 're looking to lower your blood pressure , reduce stress or lose weight , studies abound showing the benefits of yoga for these issues . Weight loss is probably the most popular resolution made and broken . Yoga 's overall focus on body awareness and the present moment can help practitioners enhance self control and avoid mindless eating , which are important for long-term success with weight loss . And , although yoga is n't the ideal cardiovascular exercise , certain styles , like Power Yoga and Ashtanga , can increase muscle mass , which burns more calories . 3 . Sleep better . Yoga is very helpful in facilitating sleep ! I 've created numerous yoga-based sleep programs for my professional athletes and celebrity clients , whose demanding schedules make sleeping difficult . Using yoga stretches to release tension and enhance blood flow in the abdomen , combined with meditative techniques and diaphragmatic breathing focused on exhaling produces a natural sedative effect in the body . 4 . Make friends . If you 're looking to forge friendships , look no further than your local yoga studio ! Studios build their businesses around a sense of community . Most hold events in and out of the studio -- from book clubs to cocktail parties -- to foster relationships among students . Christina Lowden , co-owner of Trinity Yoga in New Port Richey , Florida , says , `` yoga tends to attract like-minded people , so relationships blossom easily while chatting after class or at special events . '' 5 . Volunteer more . Volunteering is an admirable resolution but it can be surprisingly daunting to find the right organization to donate your time . Let your yoga studio take the guesswork out of volunteering and make getting involved an easier process . Most yoga studios are affiliated with a charity , and often donate time to schools , prisons or shelters . For example , Lowden says her studio recently helped start a facility for homeless and struggling veterans . 6 . Travel . If traveling more is one of your goals , yoga can provide the impetus . Yoga retreats take place all over the world , ranging from weekend workshops to month-long immersions . Whether you 're into modest camping trips or five-star luxury hotels in exotic locations , you can find a retreat that 's perfect for you . Check out www.bookyogaretreats.com , which claims to be `` the world 's largest yoga travel site . '' 7 . Learn something new . Maybe the practice of yoga is new to you . If that 's the case , there 's your resolution ! But if you 've been practicing a while , there are opportunities to expand your knowledge into related subjects . You can explore energy chakras , learn new forms of meditation or even become a yoga teacher . A quick online search will reveal boundless books , courses and certification programs on any yoga-related topic that interests you . And , chances are a studio near you will have a related workshop on their schedule . `` Every January , our studio holds workshops on the yoga philosophy of the Yamas and Niyamas , '' says Lowden . `` Being kind , truthful and balanced in life may not be new thoughts , but the reminder of these qualities as the backdrop of a yoga practice can inspire new resolutions . '' Regardless of your resolution , if you need inspiration and support to get over the January hump and achieve lasting change , try spending some time on your yoga mat .
Yoga is a useful tool to help keep New Year 's together . It can offer a way to stay in shape , make new friends , sleep better and eat more .