Learning About Benefits Of Yoga

More and more Americans are learning about the benefits of yoga. The media is full of stories about celebrities vouching for all the numerous benefits that they derive by practicing yoga. So what exactly is yoga and what are its benefits?

History

The history of yoga goes back by as much as 5000 years. It originated in India and was practiced there as a way of life. Yoga is a form of exercise that aims to strengthen and tone the body as well as the mind and the spirit. Yoga combines breathing exercises (Pranayama), poses (asanas), meditation and chanting to develop harmony between mind and body. According to yogic principles, once your body is in harmony with your mind, you live longer, healthier and peacefully.

We can learn a lot from this ancient science called yoga. With today's hectic and stressful lifestyle, we all need a form of exercise that not only rejuvenates our body but also our mind. And yoga does just this. There are many other benefits of yoga.

Boosts Strength, Stamina And Flexibility

Practicing poses (asanas) and breathing exercises (Pranayama) on a regular basis helps to boost physical strength, stamina and flexibility of the body. Yoga poses exercise each and every joint, tendon, ligaments and muscles in our body. Even those parts that cannot possibly be worked upon by other forms of exercises get exercise with the help of yoga. For instance, there are poses in yoga that massage the prostrate.

Detoxifies

One of the main benefits of yoga is that it helps to detoxify our body. It massages and stimulates each and every organ and muscle in our body. Its poses and breathing techniques ensure optimum supply of blood to all our body parts. This in turn helps to flush out the toxins from our body. Once the toxins are flushed out we feel more energetic and at peace with ourselves. Yoga also helps to delay the aging process.

Effective Weight Control

It helps to tone each and every muscle in our body and thereby helps us reduce weight. The asanas first work on the sluggish glands to optimize their hormonal secretions. For instance, it has been seen that the imbalance of thyroid hormones can lead to weight problems. So the asanas and the breathing techniques first aim to get these various glands in balance.

Once the thyroid gland comes into balance, the fat metabolism is automatically increased. This in turns helps our body convert fat into muscle and energy. Yoga is very effective in losing and controlling weight. No wonder yoga for weight management is often the slogan used by nutritionists and health specialists.

Yoga is also very useful in tackling various illnesses. Asthma patients can greatly benefit from yoga. Various poses and breathing techniques help reduce asthma attacks in patients. It is also favorable in treating and preventing high blood pressure. Various breathing and relaxation techniques help bring down the blood pressure.

Other Benefits

Some of the other benefits of yoga are:

  • Provides relief from back pain and arthritis
  • Lowers stress levels
  • Helps in healing old and new injuries
  • Strengthens the immune system
  • Improves blood circulation
  • Improves our posture
  • Improves the functioning of our organs
  • Brings about balance and internal harmony

A look at the benefits of yoga helps us realize that yoga is the need of the hour. A de-stressed and peaceful mind is the key to a healthy body and living.