Health Benefits of Yoga
72 HEALTH BENEFITS OF YOGA
ENJOY IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT AS YOU PRACTICE YOGA!!
health benefits of yoga
FROM WITHIN:
Blood pressure. A consistent practice decreases blood pressure through better circulation and oxygenation of the body.
Pulse rate and cardiovascular endurance. Regularly practicing yoga provides a lower pulse rate, indicating that your heart is strong enough to pump more blood with fewer beats. Lower heart rate and improved oxygenation results in higher cardiovascular endurance.
Blood circulation improves for healthier skin, organs and brain.
Respiratory rate decreases through yoga’s controlled breathing exercises and better fitness.
Yoga practice massages internal organs, thus improving the body’s ability to prevent disease.
Gastrointestinal functions have been shown to improve.
Yoga has often been correlated with a stronger immune system.
Tolerance is higher. Some instances of chronic pain, such as back pain, are lessened or eliminated.
Consistent practice helps find the balance and creates a more efficient metabolism.
FROM WITHOUT:
Yoga stimulates the body’s detoxification process which has been shown to delay aging, among other health benefits.
The practitioner learns how to hold and control one’s body in a more healthful position.
Use your own body weight to improve overall strength.
Regular practice provides consistent energy.
Better metabolism along with the yoga exercise helps keep your weight in check. The stretching of muscles lengthwise helps to reduce the amount of cellulite around muscles.
Many find that their sleep is much better after yoga practice.
With consistent practice your overall balance will improve.
Integrated function of the body. Yogis find that their body works together much better, resulting in more graceful and efficient body movement.
Body awareness increased.
Core strength. A strong core helps achieve better posture and body strength.
Improve sexuality through better control, more relaxation and more self-confidence.
EMOTIONAL HEALTH BENEFITS:
Overall well-being and mood improves with yoga practice.
Stress Reduction. Concentration on practice reduces the emphasis on stress.
Controlled breathing helps reduce anxiety.
Some believe the repressed negative feelings are brought to the surface during some types of yoga exercises. The negative energy is released which leads to a reduction in depression.
Self-acceptance. Focusing inward and realizing that perfection is not the goal, results in self-acceptance.
Self-control. Controlled movements help translate self-control to life.
Mind-body connection. As you match your controlled breathing with body movements, you retrain your mind to find a place of calm and peace.
Positive outlook on life. Continued practice of yoga results in a balance of many hormones and nervous system, for a more stable, positive approach to life.
Calmness and less hostility. An overall calming of the nervous system and less hostility means lower blood pressure. Yoga introduces meditation techniques which help calm the mind.
Researchers have shown that as little as eight weeks of yoga practice can result in better concentration and more motivation.
Improved blood circulation to the brain as well as the reduction in stress and improved focus results in a better memory.
Increased ability to keep a sharp focus on tasks.
Social skills. From a personal journey to one connecting to the community where social skills improve along with the yoga practice.
BODY CHEMISTRY:
Lowers cholesterol through increased blood circulation and burning fat.
Lymphatic system. Specific yoga movements are particularly well suited for promoting a strong lymphatic system.
Evidence suggests that yoga may lower blood glucose levels.
As does any good exercise program, yoga reduces sodium levels, a great idea in today’s world of processed foods.
Endocrine functions. Helps to regulate and control hormone secretion for overall physical and emotional health.
The chemical form of fat in the blood, triglyceride levels can be “significantly lower” while practicing yoga, according to a recent study.
Red blood cells. Yoga has been shown to increase the red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen through the body.
Vitamin C. Yoga can increase the vitamin C in your body.
EXERCISE HEALTH BENEFITS:
Low risk of injury. With the controlled aspect of the motions, yoga is low-impact with a very low risk of injury.
Parasympathetic Nervous System. Yoga stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system that lowers blood pressure and slows the pace of breathing, which allows relaxation and healing.
Improves muscle tone.
Sub cortex. Yoga is thought to dominate the sub cortex region of the brain associated with well-being, rather than the cortex (where most exercise dominates).
Reduced oxygen consumption. The body works more efficiently.
With yoga, controlled breathing provides more oxygen-rich air for your body for more energy and less fatigue.
Balanced workout of opposing muscle groups. Balance is key.
Promotes a more balanced and stress-free workout.
Joint range of motion. A study at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine indicated that joint range of motion was improved by practicing yoga.
Eye-hand coordination improved.
The strong mind-body connection and flexibility gained from yoga leads to grace and skill.
DISEASE PREVENTION:
Heart disease. Yoga reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, keeps off weight and improves cardiovascular health.
Weight-bearing exercise strengthens bones and helps prevent osteoporosis. Yoga’s ability to lower levels of cortisol may help keep calcium in the bones.
Alzheimer’s. A new study indicates that yoga can help elevate brain gamma-amino butyric (GABA) levels. Low GABA levels are associated with the onset of Alzheimer’s. Meditation has also been shown to slow Alzheimer’s progression.
Type II diabetes. In addition to the glucose reducing capabilities, yoga has the potential to encourage insulin production in the pancreas and can serve as an excellent preventative for type II diabetes.
SYMPTOM REDUCTION:
Carpal tunnel syndrome. Researchers saw improved grip strength and reduction of pain in a study of participants with carpal tunnel syndrome who practiced yoga.
Some evidence shows that regular yoga reduces asthma symptoms and the need for medication.
The slow, deliberate movement of yoga poses coupled with the gentle pressure exerted on the joints provides an excellent exercise to relieve arthritis symptoms. The stress relief associated with yoga loosens muscles that tighten joints.
Multiple sclerosis. Yoga is becoming recognized as an excellent means of MS management. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine is funding a clinical trial of yoga for treating multiple sclerosis.
Cancer. Patients who practice yoga gain strength, raise red blood cells, experience less nausea during chemotherapy and have a better overall well-being.
Muscular dystrophy. Using yoga in the early stages of muscular dystrophy can help return some physical function.
Regular practice has been shown to reduce the number of migraines in chronic migraine sufferers.
Yoga can straighten the curvature of the spine associated with scoliosis.
Chronic bronchitis. Exercise that does not elevate respiration, yet increases oxygen levels in the body is ideal for treating chronic bronchitis. Yoga aerates the lungs and provides energy.
Focusing on stress reduction, breathing and restoring overall balance in the body can help prevent seizures.
Pain associated with sciatica can be alleviated with specific poses.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Studies of people with OCD have shown that practicing yoga helps reduce symptoms.
Helps the digestive and elimination systems work more efficiently.
Certain types of breathing can also help clear the nasal passage.
Can help control some of the side effects of menopause. The Bridge Pose can help reduce hot flashes.
Back pain. Yoga reduces spinal compression and helps overall body alignment to reduce back pain.
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