Medical Benefits of Yoga for Men, Women and Kids

Yoga helps you connect your mind, body and soul. Yoga is a great way to direct energy to the different areas of the body. Yoga is not a way to workout, but it is good for the overall health of the body, neurological system and metabolism. At the physical level, there are immense medical benefits of different yoga positions. Yoga helps in increasing the flexibility of the joints in the body. It helps to lubricate the joints, ligaments and tendons of the body. Yoga is the only activity which can stimulate and massage the internal organs of the body and keep one healthy. It detoxifies the various organs and helps in optimum blood supply to various parts of the body. It leads to increase in energy and delayed aging process. The various medical benefits of yoga in men, women and kids is listed below.

Benefits of Yoga for Men
Yoga is being introduced in many pro and university sports program as a cross-training activity. Basketball star Kareem Abdul Jabbar, has made yoga popular among men, by his decade long yoga practice. Many men smirk at the idea of carrying out yoga positions and stretches. According to many men, it is a 'girly thing'to drop into a pose. But initially yoga was mainly practiced by men, before it became popular among women. Yoga has many medical benefits for men that makes their bodies stronger. The yoga postures help the body to realign, increase flexibility and ease pressure on the joints. Yoga helps in increasing concentration power and improves breathing. It helps build up strength in the muscles without adding extra bulk. It also helps increase endurance factor in the body. Yoga also helps in decreasing muscle soreness. Yoga stretches the muscles and helps release the tension and flushes the lactic acid build up. It is the best activity for runners after an endurance jog. Yoga builds up energy levels that are depleted after a strenuous workout. Yoga exercises increase the lost vigor and revitalize the tired body. It helps in balancing the mind and increases clarity and focus. Men become calmer and less self-absorbed. Yoga helps to oxygenate the body and create more energy in every muscle, joint and organ. Yoga helps men build leaner and stronger bodies.

Postures for Men
Few yoga postures for men are mentioned below:

• Marjariasana
• Bikram Yoga
• Tikonasana or triangel Pose
• Forward Fold Pose
• Downward Facing Dog Pose
• Crescent Lunge
• Boat Pose
• Bow Pose

Benefits of Yoga for Women
Women have to face more emotional pressure than men. Women are under constant mental and physical stress. Hormonal changes play havoc in a woman's overall health. Yoga helps women overcome these problems to some extent. Women suffering from premenstrual syndrome and menstrual cramps can try yoga to relieve tension in the back and the sexual organs. Yoga helps stretching and increasing the circulation in the reproductive organs and relieves cramps, cleans the liver and balances the hormones. Few yoga poses are known to stimulate flow of spinal fluid and adjust the mood swings. Yoga tones the ovaries, glands and fallopian tubes and help women conceive. Yoga also helps reduce morning sickness. It helps in strengthening and relaxing the pelvic muscles. Many women opt for yoga during the last stages of pregnancy to deliver their baby without any complications. 'Cat pose' and the 'Fish pose' assist the mother in developing physical strength and mental focus which is needed during labor. Yoga helps improve the eating disorders in women. It helps promote a healthier body image in women.

Yoga Postures for Women
Few yoga postures for women are mentioned below:

• Cobra Pose
• Tiger Stretch
• Frog Pose
• Plough Pose
• Camel pose
• Archer Pose
• Baby pose
• Lotus Pose

Benefits of Yoga for Kids
Just as in the case of adults, benefits of yoga for children is enormous. Yoga helps make the children more flexible and coordinated. It helps increase self esteem in children as they gain control over their minds and bodies. It helps children learn self-discipline with the help of certain poses, which make them breathe and think in certain ways. It helps children control stress and relax. It helps them calm down and focus in their studies in a better way. Yoga helps develop their creativity and imagination. They become more aware of their surroundings and their instincts are sharpened. Children practicing yoga eat better and choose healthier foods over junk food. Children develop better emotional responses and compassion, teamwork and leadership skills. Yoga improves their digestion power and strengthens their immune system. Hyper active children practicing yoga, learn to direct their extra energy and build stronger concentration power. Yoga has also proven to be beneficial for children suffering from down syndrome, cerebral palsy and autism. Yoga induces a person to discipline his body, breathing and thoughts. Therefore, many children learn to discipline themselves without any adult controlling them.

Yoga Postures for Kids
Few yoga postures for children are mentioned below:

• Sunrise/Sunset Pose
• Butterfly Pose
• Lion pose
• Warrior Pose
• Tree Pose
• Eagle Pose
• Natarajasana
• Dog Pose

Psychological Benefits of Yoga
Yoga helps the mind and body to calm down. It relaxes the body and decreases the feelings of anxiety, stress and depression. Many experience increase in attention span and concentration power. People learn to control aggression and exercise self control. Yoga practice helps ease stress and improves memory power. Many people who practice yoga have experienced an increase in their learning ability and retaining power.

As you can see, there are many health benefits of yoga that help you stay fit and healthy. Yoga not only boosts stamina but increases immunity. People of all ages can reap benefits from yoga. Yoga helps in lowering blood pressure, maintaining pulse rate, increasing cardiovascular endurance, gastrointestinal functions, metabolism and decreases pain. Yoga helps prevent many diseases and reduces symptoms of many existing diseases like carpel tunnel syndrome, migraines, menopause, constipation, etc. Practice yoga under skilled guidance and enjoy a stress free, healthier life.