| So, why should I do yoga? I don't have time to fit any | | | | from the sympathetic nervous system, which is |
| more into my busy life. | | | | responsible for the 'fight or flight' response, to the |
| 1. Yoga works in a holistic way, that is, it addresses the | | | | parasympathetic nervous system, which brings the |
| whole body, improving the entire structure. | | | | body back into balance. |
| By working with physical movements known as | | | | By staying focused on our breath and our physical |
| postures or 'asana', we can improve the range of | | | | movements, we can also switch off from the constant |
| movement within our joints, increasing both suppleness | | | | fluctuations of the mind. |
| and strength. Tight muscles can restrict our | | | | This is why yoga is a holistic practice; bringing together |
| movements and cause structural strain; tightness in the | | | | enhanced physical well-being and improved breathing |
| hips can put pressure on the knees and the restriction | | | | with a quiet, restful mind. |
| of short hamstrings can put the lower back at risk. | | | | There are many different forms of yoga available, |
| Strong muscles help to support and bring stability to | | | | some of the most common being: |
| our joints, especially the spine, which is a common site | | | | Hatha - The practice of mental and physical cleansing |
| of strain. | | | | through postures (asana) and breathing (pranayama). |
| Yoga postures take the spine through its full range of | | | | Ashtanga - The exploration of postures, breath control |
| movements in a precise, controlled way, which can be | | | | and concentration. |
| extremely beneficial in releasing postural back pain. | | | | Sivananda - A flowing style, which includes breath |
| Taking joints through their full range of movement | | | | control, meditation, postures, chanting and relaxation. |
| keeps them healthy and can even help to prevent | | | | Yin - A practice that combines traditional Hatha |
| against degenerative arthritis. | | | | postures with Taoist philosophy and Meridian Theory. It |
| 2. Our breathing capacity can be increased through | | | | works with the feminine energy of the body and |
| yoga. | | | | affects the deep layers of connective tissue, utilising |
| It focuses on the breath by encouraging a relaxed | | | | long passive holds. |
| 'steady' breathing during the physical postures and, in | | | | All forms of yoga come from the same root and are, |
| particular, during relaxation at the end of the class. | | | | therefore, relatively interchangeable, so an hour-long |
| Dedicated breathing exercises can also be taught | | | | class once or twice a week in any of the disciplines |
| during the class. All of these techniques help to | | | | will quickly start to work wonders on both your |
| improve lung function and reduce stress. | | | | physical and mental well being. |
| 3. Yoga can also bring us a sense of calm and | | | | This article may be reproduced providing a hard link to |
| relaxation. | | | | the site in the resource box is retained. |
| It can help to minimise stress by shifting the emphasis | | | | |