Yoga
Yoga is one of the few physical activities
that promotes whole-body wellness - both
physically and psychologically - without
creating the imbalances that lead to injuries
and complications later on in life.
Is
Yoga Aerobic?
Aerobic exercise occurs when an elevated
heart rate is sustained for twenty minutes
or more. Aerobic activities are particularly
helpful for strengthening the heart,
burning excess fat, and increasing the
body's metabolism.
Yoga can be a great aerobic workout,
but it depends on the student and on
the class they are taking. In order
to sustain an elevated heart rate during
practice, students should try their
best to actively participate in all
postures and take classes that they
find challenging.
Overall
Fitness
Many physical activities that are good
for your health also create serious
imbalances in the body. Runners are
prone to knee and back problems, tennis
players often develop arthritis in their
wrists and elbows, and weight lifters
connective tissues soon become tight
and rigid.
THE
NUMEROUS BENEFITS OF YOGA Circulation
Oxygen is the source of life for every
cell in the body. It heals our wounds,
kills germs and bacteria, and ensures
the strength and vitality of all living
tissues. Blood is what carries oxygen
throughout the body, and physical activities
like yoga raise the heart rate and increase
the circulation of oxygen-rich blood.
What makes yoga particularly beneficial
is that it also boosts blood circulation
to often-neglected areas of the body
like joints, connective tissues, and
internal organs. Deep stretches, twists,
backbends, and muscular contractions
signal the body to send blood to those
specific areas.
Detoxification
Toxins are all around us - in the air,
in our food, and in the water - but
fortunately, our bodies are designed
to naturally eliminate these poisons
through the skin, the breath, the blood,
and the organs of elimination. So how
does this relate to yoga?In almost every
yoga class, you sweat, you breathe deeply,
your heart rate rises (increased circulation),
and you massage and stimulate the organs
of elimination through twisting and
bending postures. For detoxification,
a regular yoga practice is extremely
effective.
Strength
and Flexibility
Many people think that in order to change
their body they need to use the latest
exercise machine or hire a personal
trainer. While some people find results
with those methods, more people find
results through yoga because of its
natural, holistic approach.
Yoga postures strengthen and lengthen
the body's connective tissues through
physical postures that have been practiced
for thousands of years. It doesn't matter
if you are flexible or stiff, weak or
strong, yoga can transform your body
and mind and improve your overall health.
Stress
Relief
The stress and pressure of our daily
lives can lead to serious illness and
disease if left unchecked. A regular
yoga practice calms the body and mind,
boosts the immune system, and eliminates
the toxins that stress creates - so
many students see yoga as the perfect
"cure" for a hard day at work.
Self
Confidence & Self Esteem
Yoga makes you feel healthy, strong,
and limber which will immediately boost
your self-image and self-confidence.
Learning yoga postures creates an enormous
sense of pride that will improve the
way you feel about yourself both inside
the studio as well as out in your daily
life.
Breath
Control
The quality of our breath is directly
related to our mental state. When we
are upset, the breath tends to be fast
and shallow. When we are at ease, the
breath is usually slow and deep. We
don't have to think to breathe, but
when we learn to consciously control
the breath, it helps us to control the
body and mind as well.
Often referred to as "moving meditation,"
an advanced yoga practice is one where
students are able to maintain deep,
consistent breath throughout their entire
practice, regardless of the physical
posture they are performing. In this
manner, yoga teaches us to control our
state of mind, regardless of the daily
stresses we encounter.
Weight
Loss
Many students report that after practicing
yoga regularly, they feel less hungry
and make better choices when eating.
As part of an overall healthy lifestyle,
yoga is a great way to cleanse the body,
increase metabolism, stimulate waste
elimination, and reduce food cravings.
