Yoga aims to bring together the mind, the body and the spirits. People that practice yoga view that the mind and body are one and that if given the right tools, it can find harmony and find a way to heal. Practicing yoga is then considered to be a form of therapy. Awareness of posture and patterns of movement, flexibility and relaxation are only a few of the things that can be achieved with the practice. To feel fit, be more energetic, be happier and more at peace are only some of the reasons why people choose to practice yoga.
Yoga dates back to thousands of years of practice, consisting of ancient theories, observations and principles about the connection between mind and body that are now proven by modern day medicine. Research has proven that there are a lot of health benefits, whether physiological, psychological or biochemical, that can be obtained through the practice of yoga.
Some of the physiological benefits include a decrease in pulse rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure which in other words would mean that the cardiovascular and respiratory efficiencies increase which can help in the increase of immunity. Bodily functions like gastrointestinal, endocrine and excretory either normalizes or improves which can help in the normalization of weight. Musculoskeletal flexibility and joint range of motion increase which can help in the improvement of posture, dexterity, balance and the integrated functioning of body parts. In essence, gaining all of that can help decrease any pains in the joints or muscles. With the practice of yoga, endurance, energy level and even eye-hand coordination improves. Weight can also normalize.
The psychological benefits of yoga include the increased awareness of somatic and kinesthetic waves, improvement of mood and subjective well-being which subsequently increases social adjustment. With a calmer mind, concentration, memory, attention and learning efficiency can also improve.
The biochemical benefits of yoga are effects of some of the physiological benefits. Levels of glucose, sodium, bad cholesterol and triglycerides decrease while levels of good cholesterol, cholinesterase, ATP, hemoglobin, vitamin C and serum protein increase. These changes are all beneficial for a healthier body.
Apart from all of this, the benefits of yoga have been compared versus that of the benefits of regular exercise. With the slow dynamic and static movements of yoga, there is a lower risk of injury to muscles and ligaments as opposed to regular exercise routines due to the lesser effort and relaxed way of movement which subsequently makes for better energizing since breathing is not taxed. There is also a more balanced activity of opposing muscle groups, thus being able to gain a normalized muscle tone instead of getting bulky.
Yoga does not need to be for people that are extremely flexible. It can be for people that are looking to improve on their flexibility or other areas of their physical or mental health. With these many benefits, its no wonder why yoga has been a successful practice for thousands of years.
Stuart Goodson
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/yoga-and-your-body-health-benefits-of-yoga-practice-138227.html
Can you cleanse the body without invasive procedures, remedies or medications? Can you clear the mind without intrusive therapies? Countless people have been doing just that for thousands of years, through traditional yoga.
It is difficult to consider any part of our spirit or body that is not improved by yoga benefits. Yoga is ideal for clearing the mind and lifting the spirits. Physically, it is a cleansing practice that has proven to be very effective for many disorders.
Yoga benefits the body by increasing flexibility. In practicing yoga, you will achieve various positions that act on the joints of your body, including those that are rarely exercised. Yoga also exercises the ligaments and tendons and increases lubrication in all of these areas.
Many people who suffer from stiff muscles and joints are surprised to find that yoga makes their rigid bodies very flexible. Extensive research has shown that non-strenuous yoga positions work on certain parts of the body in an interrelated manner. When practiced together, they work in harmony to create a situation that easily attains flexibility.
Yoga is believed to be the only activity that thoroughly massages all of the body’s internal organs and glands. This massaging action also reaches the prostate, which rarely gets stimulated externally during one’s lifetime. The massage and stimulation of the body’s organs are essential yoga benefits, as they help prevent disease and give warning of a potential disease or disorder of the body.
In addition to the massaging of various organs, the gentle stretch of the muscles and joints helps to ensure that essential parts of the body receive an optimum blood supply. This helps the body flush out toxins and provide nourishment. Delayed aging, increased energy levels and a remarkable zest for life are all directly related to yoga benefits.
Yoga helps to tone the body’s muscles, especially those that have become flaccid, sloppy or weak. Practicing yoga provides muscles with repeated stimulation and helps the body to flush excess fat.
While there are many important physical yoga benefits, the mental and spiritual attributes are equally vital. Yoga allows the mind to become harmonized with the body, resulting in quantum benefits. It is said that the will of the mind has allowed average people to achieve powerful, extraordinary physical feats, proving the theory of a ‘mind and body’ connection.
Meditation in yoga helps to achieve harmony, in which the mind works in synchronization with the body. When our minds and bodies work together, we are able to perform our daily tasks and activities without mental confusion and conflict. Stress is the number one killer affecting our physical, emotional and endocrinal systems. Our levels of stress can be corrected through the practice of yoga meditation.
Yoga and meditation work together to achieve a common goal — the unity of the body, mind and spirit–with the ultimate goal being eternal bliss. Practicing meditation through yoga can help one achieve an emotional balance through detachment. Meditation creates certain conditions that prevent a person from being affected by what is happening around them. The result is a remarkable calmness along with a positive outlook on life, creating tremendous benefits to the mind, soul and body.
Yoga benefits the body in countless ways, including increased flexibility, stimulating the organs and cleansing the body of toxins. Yoga also helps to relieve stress, thus clearing the mind and freeing the spirit. Consider all the ways that yoga benefits can improve your health and lifestyle.
David Wilson
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/yoga-benefits-97121.html