Friday, August 12, 2005

Health Benefits of Yoga

By Della Menechella

The health benefits of practiceing yoga goes far beyond the actual time you spend in the poses. One of the most common reasons for people to begin practicing yoga is improving their health and well-being. Yoga means union. It is a union of the mind, body and breath, so all aspects of your life are impacted by your yoga practice.

A major benefit of yoga is physical

Yoga improves your flexibility – The stretching that you engage in during every practice helps lengthen and stretch muscles, which helps reduce the risk of injuries.
It helps to improve your balance. – The majority of yoga practices include some type of balancing in the poses. A significant number of people, especially as they began to get older, start to have problems with balance, which can lead to major injuries due to falls. By having a greater sense of balance, you are able to move more easily and safely.

Yoga can help reduce pain - Tense muscles often contribute to pain. Relaxing muscles helps to minimize muscle tension and the pain that is associated with it. Also, breathing deeply into muscles helps lessen pain by altering your perception of it.

It tones your muscles – Yoga works all the muscles in your body. It helps strengthen and tone them and also builds endurance and stamina.

It helps to increase your level of energy – Carrying tension in your body takes an enormous toll on your energy reserves. By learning how to relax through your yoga practice, you benefit by enjoying higher levels of energy so you can more thoroughly enjoy your daily activities.

Yoga helps promote a sense of relaxation – Most people breathe high in their chests. This not only does not allow them to get sufficient oxygen, it also triggers the stress response, which contributes to feelings of anxiety. Breathing deeply as practiced in yoga, helps relax your muscles and also brings much needed oxygen to your cells. The deep sense of relaxation also leads to better quality sleep.

Each yoga practice ends with some type of relaxation. Since your body and mind are one, by relaxing your body you also relax your mind. Many yoga experts believe that a relaxation pose is the most beneficial pose in any yoga practice.


Another benefit of yoga is mental

Yoga clears your mind and helps you focus your attention. – During your practice. . .

To read the rest of this lifechanging article heath benefit of yoga

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