The known benefits of practicing yoga are both physical and mental. Physical benefits are the results of a well toned and stronger body together with improved vitality. It also improves our metabolism rate and overall health.
For mental benefits, yoga teaches us how to focus on breathing while we look and feel younger. It improves our athletic performance too.
Consistent practice of yoga with meditation help to control ailments such as diabetes, blood pressure, digestive problems, arthritis, arteriosclerosis, chronic and heart problems. Laboratory tests have even proved the yogi's increased abilities of consciously controlling autonomic or involuntary functions, such as temperature, heartbeat and blood pressure.
According to medical scientists, yoga therapy is successful because of the balance created in the nervous and endocrine systems which directly influences all the other systems and organs of the body. Yoga acts both as a curative and preventive therapy. The very essence of yoga lies in attaining mental peace, improved concentration powers, a relaxed state of living and harmony in relationships.
Through the practice of yoga, we become aware of the interconnectedness between our emotional, mental and physical levels.
I have practiced yoga for more than ten years now and I find that not only does it give me wonderful physical workouts; it also provides me with a completely different outlook in life. It does not matter how tired I may be going into class, I always look forward to it and I come out a changed person when the session ends. I feel refreshed and renewed, like every cell in my body is sparkling.
Many activities and workouts can get our bodies in shape and toned, but yoga provides much more than just a workout. Holding yoga postures actually wrings toxins out of our body and the yogi breathing infuses the body with energy.
We need to breathe deeply to bring oxygen to all our cells, rid the body of toxins and energize us, but we also use breathing to help us turn inward in meditation. Peace of mind is important to us and so is staying calm during the day.
BENEFITS
Physicians and scientists are discovering more and more new health benefits of practicing yoga. Studies show it can relieve the symptoms of several common and potentially life-threatening illnesses such as arthritis, arteriosclerosis, chronic fatigue, diabetes, asthma and obesity.
Asthma
Studies conducted at yoga institutions in India have reported impressive improvements in asthma. It has also been proved that asthma attacks can usually be prevented by practice of yoga.
Respiration Problems
Patients who practice yoga have a better chance of gaining the ability to control their breathing problems. With the help of yogic breathing exercises, it is possible to control an attack of severe shortness of breath.
High Blood Pressure
The relaxation and exercise components of yoga have a major role to play in the treatment and prevention of high blood pressure and hypertension. Breathing and relaxation exercises in yoga have been proven to control blood pressure, thus reducing the intake of medication for high blood pressure.
Relief of Pain
Breathing exercises used in yoga can also reduce pain because our muscles tend to relax when we exhale. Lengthening the time of exhalation can help produce relaxation and reduce tension. Awareness of breathing helps to achieve calmer, slower respiration and help in relaxation and body pain.
Arthritis
The easy stretches with deep breathing exercises relieve the tension that binds up the muscles and further tighten the joints. Yoga is relaxation and exercise rolled into one – the perfect anti-arthritis formula.
Weight Reduction
Regular yoga practice helps in weight management because it improves our metabolism. It is able to overcome anxiety and thus solving the problem on anxious eating. Yoga deep breathing increases oxidation or burning up of fat cells. Yogic exercises induce more continuous and deeper breathing which gradually burns, sometimes forcefully, many of the calories already ingested.
Mental Performance
Experts suggest that the regular practice of breathing through one nostril may help improve communication between the right and left side of our brain. This increased brain activity is associated with better performance and doctors even suggest that yoga can enhance cognitive performance.
Mood change and Vitality
People who participate in yoga over a period of time claim a positive effect on outlook and energy level. stretching and breathing exercises in yoga have been seen as a beneficial effect on mental and physical energy.
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Janice H. is an author who does lots of research into health and nutrition. She is working towards her mission: Leading People To Ageless Living. Visit Janice's Blog at: www.stayyoungsecret.com/blog to immediately improve your life and receive your FREE e-Report.
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