As a longtime yoga practitioner and teacher, I can personally attest to the many benefits of practicing yoga. However, there are scientific studies that prove that doing yoga can improve your health and fitness in myriad ways. Yoga is an
As a longtime yoga practitioner and teacher, I can personally attest to the many benefits of practicing yoga. However, there are scientific studies that prove that doing yoga can improve your health and fitness in myriad ways.
Yoga is an aid to self-improvement, both physically and mentally. It is reliable, and safe and can be performed at many levels, so that beginners can improve to mastery if they so choose, or simply reap the benefits at whatever stage they feel is comfortable for them. Yoga, by improving the circulatory system, the glandular, and nervous system and improving the skeletal muscular system can actually be shown to reverse many of the signs of aging such as lack of flexibility, strength, balance and core strength. Two studies published in the journal Rheumatic Diseases Clinics of North America found that practicing yoga helps with pain associated with osteoarthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Other studies have indicated that yoga may be as effective as drug therapies in controlling high blood pressure and that feelings of health and well-being can be significantly attributed to yoga practice. Stanford University reported that mind-body techniques such as yoga are extremely important adjunct treatments for musculoskeletal disorders, whereas studies at Roosevelt University Institute in Chicago have found that yoga stretches reduce physical stress while increasing relaxation.
Yoga poses stretch your muscles, so that your flexibility improves. Studies have shown that people can improve their flexibility with yoga up to 35 percent after only eight weeks of practice. Power yoga, or Ashtanga yoga, are vigorous styles and can greatly improve muscular strength, but other less vigorous styles can result in improvement in endurance and overall body strength. Because yoga helps you improve your strength and flexibility your posture is most likely to improve as well. Most standing and sitting poses develop core strength and not only is that beneficial to your health but you will stand taller as your body awareness improves.
Most people are aware of the breathing aspect of yoga. Attention to breath can help you relax, even if you are not meditating, you still will benefit from the attention to breath. It has long been known that yoga lowers blood pressure, slows the heart rate, but research is noting that yoga has been linked to lower cholesterol levels and lower triglyceride levels as well as improved immune response.
Many believe that yoga is beneficial for those who wish to lose weight, although it is not a big calorie burner. An average person will burn about 150 calories in an hour of yoga practice. However, the mindfulness that comes about with yoga is credited with those who wish to lose body fat actually losing weight as they become more attuned to their bodies and their relationship to food or their appetite.
There are many styles and many teachers of yoga on Kauai. You have numerous opportunities to explore this wonderful form of exercise here.
I have been in shape and an exerciser and fitness instructor since my early twenties, and about twenty years ago I added in yoga to my exercise routine, and it greatly improved my fitness. I encourage you to do the same! Aloha!
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Jane Riley, M.S., B.A., C.P.T., Certified Nutritional Adviser, can be reached at janerileyfitness@gmail.com, 212-1451 or www.janerileyfitness.com.
