| When was the last time you felt alive, energised, | | | | 2. Yoga increases flexibility in joints and ligaments. |
| happy and well? Or do you normally feel tired, frazzled | | | | With an emphasis on all body gentle stretches and |
| and stressed? When you feel worn-out, exhausted | | | | working with your breath, yoga increases the range of |
| and over-overwhelmed, have you ever wondered if | | | | movement to muscles and joints. For example, the |
| there was a way, maybe a magic pill, which you can | | | | triangle pose opens up and stretches the whole side |
| take to feel better, more alert, happy and contented? | | | | of your body, with an emphasis on the hip area, rock |
| The practice of yoga could be the 'magic pill' you are | | | | the baby pose stretches the outer groin and loosens |
| seeking to improve your energy level and lighten your | | | | the hip joint. |
| mood. | | | | 3. Yoga encourages good circulation. |
| Yoga isn't exactly a magic pill, you do have to do | | | | Yoga sequences like the Sun Salutation encourages |
| some work but even a short, gentle practice does | | | | blood and energy to flow evenly and smoothly around |
| wonders for your physical health and emotional well | | | | your body. |
| being. The lack of exercise in modern day living makes | | | | 4. Yoga soothes your nerves. |
| you more susceptible to chronic health and stress | | | | Regular yoga practice activates the parasympathetic |
| problems. | | | | nervous system which encourages you to slow down, |
| Yoga is a form of exercise which consists of a | | | | relax and rest. |
| programme of stretching exercises,(known as asanas) | | | | 5. Yoga massages internal organs. |
| which gently open and stretch the body, increasing | | | | The twisting poses, for example, seated spinal twist |
| flexibility, suppleness and strength; breathing practices | | | | bring fresh oxygen to internal organs. Lateral twists |
| (known as pranayama) designed to cleanse the body | | | | increases the elasticity of the spine and allows |
| and calm the nervous system and emotions; and | | | | nourishment to reach the roots of the spinal nerves |
| guided relaxation to release body tension and promote | | | | and the sympathetic nervous system. |
| a sense of well-being. Some yoga classes also include | | | | 5. Yoga encourages better breathing. |
| meditation and chanting. | | | | Yoga breathing exercises encourages correct |
| Five Physical Health Benefits Of Yoga | | | | breathing habits. In yoga breathing exercises, you are |
| There are many physical, emotional and spiritual | | | | shown how to breathe correctly using all of your |
| benefits from practicing yoga. The following are five | | | | breathing apparatus. Respiration is improved, which |
| physical benefits from this ancient practice. | | | | increases vitality. |
| 1. Yoga improves your posture. | | | | In summary, hatha yoga has numerous physical health |
| Regular practice of yoga makes you more aware of | | | | benefits which combine to support you to feel healthy, |
| your posture. The different poses, for example, the | | | | happy and fit. |
| mountain pose (tadasana) all work together to | | | | Sign up for yoga classes and soon you will enjoy |
| encourage you to stand tall and proud, open your | | | | greater flexibility, better breathing and improved health. |
| chest and reduce rounded shoulders. | | | | |