Seven Key Health Benefits of Yoga
Yoga has so many real health benefits and is suitable for any person of any age and any fitness level. Yoga classes can be performed seated, standing, on the mat or any combination. I have worked with children as young as nine and ten and currently, the oldest person taking one of my ATX classes is 103!!!
Here are just a few of the health benefits of a yoga practice:
Improved Flexibility
The practice of yoga can make your body more flexible, giving your muscles and your joints a greater range of motion.
Builds Muscle Strength
Strong muscles protect us from arthritis and back pain and helps prevent falls in older adults. When you build strength through yoga, you balance it with flexibility.
Prevents Cartilage and Joint Breakdown
Joint cartilage is like a sponge; it receives fresh nutrients only when its fluid is squeezed out and a new supply can be soaked up. Each time you practice yoga, you are taking your joints thru their available range of motion. This can help prevent degenerative arthritis or minimize disability by “squeezing and soaking” areas of cartilage that normally aren’t used.
Protects Your Spine
Spinal discs – the shock absorbers between the vertebrae that can herniate and compress nerves – receive their nutrients though movement. A well- balanced practice with backbends, twists, and forward bends can help to keep your disc supple.
Helps with the Health of Your Bones
Weight-bearing exercises, research has shown, strengthens bones and helps to minimize the risk of developing osteoporosis.
Lowering Blood Pressure/Improved Cardiac Health
According to Dr. Cunningham, Ph.d ( founder of Cardiac Yoga), yoga can help lower blood pressure, improve lung capacity, improve respiratory function and heart rate, and boost circulation.
Regulates Adrenal Glands
Cortisol is a steroid produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress.
Sustained high levels of cortisol can decrease your immune system and impair your memory. Additionally, excessive cortisol has been linked with depression, osteoporosis, increased blood pressure, and insulin resistance.
Other benefits of a yoga practice include:
- Improved posture
- Lower blood sugar
- Releasing tension
- Helps you focus
- Activating the parasympathetic nervous system
- Decreased pain
- Improved sleep and digestion
- Decreased depression/feeling happier
Quote for the moment: “The quieter you become, the more you can hear.” Ram Dass
Peace,
Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a Licensed Physical Therapist, Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher, Certified Cardiac Medical Yoga Teacher, Certified in Therapeutic Yoga, former Tai Chai for Arthritis Instructor, former Certified Senior Strength Trainer, and former Nationally Certified Arthritis Instructor.
