A Look at the Benefits of Yoga

Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years. This would not be the case if there were no benefits from the activity. People rarely continue to do something that does not help them in some way. Here are some ways in which yoga has benefited people in the past and may benefit you, as well.

Yoga postures, or asanas, are meant to bend the spine in many different ways. This keep the spine supple and healthy. It also nourishes the entire nervous system. There are many other benefits of performing the yoga asanas. This includes release of tension and blocked energy, muscles will be lengthened and strengthened, and the internal organs will be toned, stimulated, and massage. This results in renewed energy when fatigue and stress are reduced.

The postures of yoga also help maintain the youth of your spine. They also help develop coordination and balance. As a result, posture is also improved. All of these things will help a person age slower. And, the renewed energy is a plus for this as well.

Yoga is also a good way to stay in good physical condition. Stretching helps the muscles to become long and lean. And, the postures help tone the internal organs of the body. Each asana will help a specific area and muscles in general. The joints are kept supple and range of motion is increased. All of which will help you feel and look better.

Another benefit of yoga is that it helps improve circulation of both blood and lymph. Inverted asanas will help blood flow to the lungs and brain. This will give your heart a bit of a rest. Inversions also help a person sleep better by relaxing the sympathetic nervous system. Asanas that put pressure on the abdominal cavity will massage the internal organs and help the blood flow to them, as well.

Asanas that have a twist to them will squeeze and massage the muscles and organs. This also helps the blood circulate better and easier. Forward bends squeeze the abdominal cavity and also work the spine, hips, and groin muscles. Backbends will squeeze the kidneys and adrenal glands. They will also help open the heart and lung area of the body, allowing for more breath and circulation.

Yoga will also benefit the heart in a similar manner to aerobic exercise. There is one very important difference, however. Yoga does not stress the heart as aerobic exercise does. It receives activities such as toning, stimulating, and massaging to help get it into shape.

Because yoga is gentle, it can be performed by people of all ages and physical abilities. Everyone who tries yoga will receive benefits. And, you never know, you might like it enough to keep doing it for the rest of your life.

SOURCE

Worby, Cynthia, MSW, MPH, RYT. "The Everything Yoga Book". 2002. Adams Media Corporation. Avon, MA, USA.