| A student comes to yoga because of illness, hoping | | | | repetition or chatting while practicing. Focus on the |
| that yoga can rejuvenate them, and restore health. | | | | body and breath, how the two work together, the |
| Another comes to come yoga after hearing of the | | | | effects physically and emotionally, engage the mind |
| many benefits, hoping to maintain good health and | | | | and increase the ability to concentrate. A flexible, |
| prevent illness. Others may come hoping to challenge | | | | strong and active mind is just as important as a |
| themselves physically and emotionally. And many | | | | flexible, strong and active body. The breathing |
| come to relax and reduce tension and stress, drawn | | | | exercises are meant to remind us to take deep full |
| to the contemplative side of yoga. All will find what | | | | breaths in and out, not the shallow breaths as adults |
| they are looking for in the practice of yoga. | | | | we become accustomed to taking. As the inhalations |
| The list of health related issues that yoga offers relief | | | | and exhalations become fuller, the mind becomes |
| for is a very long one indeed. The ability of yoga to | | | | calmer and more peaceful. Moreover, yoga instills a |
| lower blood pressure and reduce stress assists in | | | | deep sense of well-being. The inward focus teaches |
| recovery after heart attacks. Dr. Dean Ornish, best | | | | the mind to let go of stress and negative thoughts. |
| selling author, has done considerable research into | | | | Areas in the body that may be misaligned or holding |
| yoga and heart patients, and recommends yoga both | | | | tension are identified and the tension can be released. |
| to prevent heart attacks and as part of the recovery | | | | The challenges involved in practicing and studying yoga |
| process. People suffering from Fibromyalgia and | | | | are on going. The sheer number of yoga postures, |
| Multiple Sclerosis have reported a reduction in | | | | with infinite variations, keeps the body stimulated and |
| symptoms after a regular yoga practice. Yoga | | | | the mind engaged. There is a complex system of |
| improves balance, muscle tone, and seems to help | | | | philosophy and writings behind the practice detailing |
| fight the fatigue that is part of these illnesses. Because | | | | why the breathing and postures are done, and |
| of the focus on strengthening, gently twisting, and | | | | discussing the benefits of meditation as well. Yoga |
| lengthening the spine and small muscles that surround it, | | | | philosophy includes a system of ethics, including |
| yoga has a therapeutic effect on many types of | | | | non-harming, non-stealing, non-hoarding, truthfulness, |
| backaches and pain. Some sufferers of back pain | | | | steadfastness, and self-inquiry. Legends and histories |
| report complete freedom from pain after maintaining a | | | | explain the essence of these teachings, most notably |
| regular yoga practice. Yoga can also bring relief from | | | | The Bhagavad Gita. If drawn to reading and studying, |
| sports injuries, ranging from strained hamstrings, IT | | | | there are numerous other books offering opportunities |
| band pain (common in runners), and repetitive motion | | | | to learn about and discuss yoga in this dimension as |
| injuries at the joints, to tightness and loss of flexibility as | | | | well. |
| muscles develop and shorten from athletic training. | | | | The postures, breathing, and philosophy of yoga all lead |
| Nothing can prevent aging, but yoga can certainly | | | | to deep contemplation. The ability of yoga to relax |
| make growing older a more graceful and enjoyable | | | | body and mind, leading to a reduction of tension and |
| process. Although we associate people who do yoga | | | | stress is arguably, its most important benefit. Yoga |
| with pictures of the young and beautiful seen in | | | | allows us to become still. During a yoga class, frequent |
| magazines and commercials, most yogis are middle | | | | pauses are taken so that we can really notice how |
| aged and older. They know first hand the numerous | | | | we are feeling; the effects the breathing and postures |
| preventative and protective benefits of a yoga | | | | are having on our bodies, and what our thoughts are. |
| practice for physical as well as mental health. In the | | | | A yoga class traditionally ends with students lying on |
| physical realm, yoga builds strength in the arms, legs | | | | their backs in relaxation pose while the teacher leads a |
| and core (the center of the body). Strength allows us | | | | point-by-point relaxation for the body and mind. |
| to lift things, carry groceries, yard waste, and move our | | | | Eventually, an interest in formal meditation practice |
| own bodies with ease. The practice of yoga also | | | | may develop. All of the parts of yoga class are |
| maintains and improves the range of motion in the | | | | preparation for sitting in meditation. |
| spine and joints. A flexible spine allows us to reach up | | | | What draws a person to start a yoga practice? There |
| to get something from the cupboard, bend down to | | | | are as many reasons why as there are people taking |
| pick something up, and turn our heads to see as we | | | | yoga classes. When the body, breath and mind work |
| drive. | | | | together, positive changes both physical and mental do |
| Mentally, yoga sharpens and focuses the mind. The | | | | occur. Explore the ways yoga can benefit you, by |
| postures are always done with focus and awareness | | | | joining a class today. |
| on the breath and the body. There is not mindless | | | | |