“The body soon decays like unbaked earthen pots thrown in water. Strengthen and purify the body by baking it in the fire of yoga.”
—Gheranda Samhita, 17th century
“Yoga minimizes the impact of stress on the individual…asanas [yoga poses] and pranayama [breathing exercises] strengthen the nervous system and help people face stressful situations positively.”
—B.K.S. Iyengar, 2006
“We are missing the gold if we do asana [yoga poses] as a physical practice only.”
—Geeta Iyengar, 2013.
“Yoga’s there all along to meet you where and when you need it. My teacher said early on, yoga is a [life-saving] rope. It’s something to hang onto when you need something to steady yourself, when you need a little extra support.”
—Kate Holcombe, 2013
Benefits of Yoga:
Regular practice of yoga helps strengthen and stabilize you mentally as well as physically. Clinical studies and other documentation have suggested that yoga:
- Relieves Stress & Calms the Mind;
- Increases Strength;
- Encourages Flexibility;
- Improves Balance;
- Reduces Pain and Fatigue;
- Enhances Mood;
- Builds Better Breathing Habits;
- Increases Energy;
- Increases Bone Density for older adults;
- Helps Heart Health;
- Lowers Blood Pressure;
- Increases Focus, Awareness, & Mental Clarity;
- Decreases/Prevents Depression and Anxiety;
- Enhances Memory performance;
- Eases Insomnia;
- Stabilizes Metabolism;
- Support the Immune System;
- Decreases Production of Cortisol (Stress Hormone);
- Stimulates the Amygdala and Frontal Cortex (emotional control & memory functions of the human brain)
- Fosters Mindful Eating Habits;
- Relieves Symptoms of ADHD; and
- Helps our most Vulnerable Populations.
Other potential benefits of yoga that are being researched include cessation of smoking, managing diabetes, reducing symptoms of asthma, and improving urinary incontinence. Teachers and practitioners herald yoga’s benefits for a wide variety of activities, from improving your golf game, or boosting your memory, to easing recovery from addiction.
But, most importantly, most practitioners keep returning to yoga because of the sense of peace and empowerment it instills. Regular practice of yoga often helps you make healthier, smarter, and more loving choices in your everyday life. You begin to become more aware of your thoughts, emotions, and physical well-being, and learn how to integrate your mind and body in ways that support not only your physical and mental health, but your relationships as well. Simply put, yoga helps you discover, appreciate, and share the best of you.
Be sure to click on many of the above links to read the clinical studies and news reports explaining each in more detail. “Follow” our website to be alerted to future posts on yoga topics, or come to an AHA! Yoga session to begin exploring the benefits for yourself.
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Image Source: by Jan Diehm for The Huffington Posthttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/28/body-on-yoga_n_4109595.html
Medical & Related Institutions that Support Yoga for your Health:
American Osteopathic Association
American Psychological Association
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Disclaimer: Always consult your healthcare provider before practicing yoga, or any other exercise program. The information provided on this website is intended for educational purposes only, and not as a substitute for medical advice or treatment. The author, illustrator, editor, and publisher assume no responsibility for injuries or harm that may result from practicing yoga or any other exercise program.
Image Source: http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/yoga-benefits-beyond-the-mat
Some of Our Favorite Links, showing Yoga is for Every BODY:
Dianne Bondy Yoga: Yoga for All
Yoga, Mindfulness, and Keeping Kids In School & Successful
