Benefits of Yoga

Many are not aware that yoga has been in practice for more than 5000 years. According to records, nearly 11 million Americans are into yoga. In common parlance, yoga is attributed to different sets of physical and mental disciplines which have their roots in India or to define it broadly, it refers to a Hindu discipline, aimed at training the consciousness for a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility that is achieved through the three paths of action, knowledge and devotion. Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Hatha Yoga are the different types of the same. Yoga poses, which are known as asanas, breathing exercises known as pranayama, meditation and chanting are among the many things which people get familiar with, in yoga practices.

How Does Yoga Benefit You?

Yoga enhances the circulation and oxygenation in the body, thus keeping blood pressure at a normal level. Yoga ensures controlled breathing and better fitness. This in turn, ensures a lower respiratory rate. So, when the respiratory rate is low, it indicates that the lungs are working fine and with more efficiency. Thus, yoga also keeps a check on respiratory ailments.

Yoga helps slow down pulse rate. A slower pulse rate is indicative of the healthy function of the heart. Meaning, the heart is capable of pumping more blood with fewer beats. This is especially beneficial for people suffering from, or are prone to hypertension, heart diseases and stroke. When nutrients and oxygen are transported throughout the body, blood circulation is kept at a maintained level. Regular practice of yoga does that for you and thus, provides healthier organs, skin and brain.

People can not only notice the effects that yoga has on their body, but they can feel the changes in their mental health as well. Even people who are novice in this field, feel calmed and less stressed after their very first-class. Yoga practices help in reducing catecholamines, dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine thus, lessen the stress in one's mind and provide calmness and tranquility.

Improving concentration and mood, and reducing depression are other ways through which yoga benefits people. In fact, people of all age groups. Yoga students will always be with the feedback that they feel happier and at rest after every class they participate in.

It has been studied that people who go for regular yoga classes have lower levels of cholesterol and triglyceride and a stronger immune system, than those who did not. Apart from these, people noticed a reduction in the intensity of the symptoms of asthma, back pain, arthritis, insomnia, multiple sclerosis, etc. Maintaining a balanced metabolism rate, increasing pain tolerance, improving gastrointestinal functions and cardiovascular endurance are the other health benefits of yoga.

Inculcating yoga during pregnancy are even vouched by doctors, as it provides the best and the most soothing effect of physical and mental exercises to an expecting mother. The calming effect which yoga has is beneficial for both the mother and the child. It also helps the expecting mother to tone the reproductive organs, pelvis and the rest of your body to ensure an easier childbirth. Not only it helps her to counter the excruciating pains of pregnancy, but also helps her with a natural childbirth. Through yoga breathing practices taken up by the mother, the unborn child can benefit from vital oxygen and energy and thus, place his foot into his world as a healthy and happy child. To sum up, yoga during pregnancy puts the mother in tune with her baby!

This was about the different medical conditions which can be prevented or treated with the help of the various yoga exercises and practices. Now, let's see, what does this ancient art have in store in physical aspects.

Flexibility, is perhaps, one of the most effective and desiring gains of yoga poses. People belonging to any age groups, can improve their flexibility with the help of a series of yoga poses known as asanas. These poses deal with stiffness, tension, pain and fatigue in the body, thereby increasing the range of motion. With increased flexibility, pain in different body joints seem to wash away and there is a feeling of ease and fluidity throughout your body.

Then comes strength and all thanks to the involvement of power yoga. This style of yoga involves vigorous exercises than the traditional ones and it tremendously helps in toning the muscles. However, even the traditional styles help in improving the muscle strength. Athletes always need to be on their toes, when it comes to strength, endurance and agility and yoga has just the right platform for such people.

When flexibility and strength are maintained, body posture comes on naturally. This is evident in people who practice yoga. They are always seen standing or sitting tall and straight and never slouching or slumping. Not only for young people, but this is true even for elderly people who are yoga students.

Other benefits you can enjoy from yoga...

• Delayed aging process by effective detoxification of the body
• Decreased fatigue and increase level of energy for most part of the day
• Better metabolism and maintenance of healthy weight
• Improved sleep and more control on body and mind
• Treating ADHD (Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder)
• Helps one to be more aware of his/her body and develop greater self-confidence
• Proving better control on breathing, increases relaxation and self-confidence, yoga also does a great deal in enhancing the libido aspects in people

The varied advantages of yoga just cannot be merely put down in black and white. These were the benefits which have been observed by experts and by those who have inculcated this art in their lives. So, make this healing art a part of your life and enjoy living each day healthily and happily!