Kathy Folsom in Halasana
Yoga has many benefits for the health of our bodies, minds and souls. The word yoga loosely translates as to yoke, bind, or join. It is a uniting on many levels, of breath and movement (physical) , mind and body (mental), God and man (spiritual).
Some of us will develop deep, personal practices. Others will only develop a physical practice. Most of us will have something in the middle. All of us can greatly benefit from a regular yoga practice.
Yoga affects our fitness, wellness. mental and emotional health, and aids in disease prevention and relief.
fitness
- tones the muscles
- tones the organs
- increases strength and muscle tone
- increases flexibility and range of motion
- stretches the joints, ligaments and tendons
- increases cardiovascular endurance
- increases core strength for more integrated movement
- improves balance and coordination
- improves posture and body awareness
- improves immune system
- balances metabolism
- increases dexterity
- increases endurance
- improved depth perception
wellness
- Positive outlook, an over-all feeling of well-being
- Improves self body-image
- accelerates weight loss through increased metabolic rate
- decreases blood pressure and resting pulse rate
- decreased cholesterol and trigylcerides
- cleanses and detoxifies vital organs, slowing the aging process
- bolsters immunity
- improves digestion
- improves sleep quality and length
- Slower pulse rate
- Better circulation
- decreased respiratory rate
- Increased social skills, feeling of community
mental/emotional health
- reduces stress, tension and anxiety
- improves focus and concentration
- improves mood
- reduces “mind chatter” (Yogas chittas vritta nirodaha)
- encourages a state of mental calm
- Mood, increased sense of well-being
- Reduction in anxiety.
- Self-acceptance
- Self-control
- Mind-body connection, a sense of awareness
- Increased attention
- Ability to be in the moment
disease prevention and relief
- protects against osteoporosis
- reduces the risk of heart disease
- relieves chronic headaches and migraines
- slows the progression of Alzheimer’s
- slows the progression of Type II Diabetes
- alleviates the symptoms of asthma
- alleviates the symptoms of allergies
- relieves arthritis symptoms
- relieves back pain
- relieves constipation
- relieves symptoms of menopause
- relieves symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
- relieves symptoms of Muscular Dystrophy
- relieves symptoms of sciatica
Not enough of a reason to practice???
Anais Nin once wrote, “We do not see things as they are, we see them as we are.”
What an amazing and poignant statement. But why is that?? Is it that we are self-obsessed? Full of ego? Simply unaware of the true nature of ourselves, others, and everything around us?
There are many physical, mental, emotional and spiritual benefits of yoga, all which help us balance mind and body. This is another reason why we practice yoga.
Yoga can, through a combination of all of it’s physical and mental benefits, help us become more in tune with our bodies, our minds, and with our souls. As we come to know ourselves, we come to understand others, and through our own calmness and acceptance, we can calmly accept others, regardless of our differences. Yoga is, in a word, uniting.
If you haven’t tried yoga yet… maybe it’s time to roll out a mat. With all of these benefits… what are you waiting for?
