Yoga for Health: Are You Stressing Out? Take Yoga Class

Stress is actually the number one killer of humans onand much more. Regular Yoga practice will help you
the planet. Stress is a factor and cause of moredevelop your focus and turn stress "on its head." As a
physical and mental diseases than most of us canresult of Yoga practice, you will easily be able to
imagine. If you have any disease or ailment, stress willhandle life's daily stress.
make it worse. If you are getting "stressed out," it mayWhether the form of Yoga you practice is holding
bring on an ailment or disease.postures for a while, or flowing from one posture to
Just look at what stress does to your blood pressurethe next, your body will be relieved of stress. Hatha
and heart. Cancer patients recover better when theyYoga sub-styles such as, Restorative Yoga and
are dealing with less stress. There are many reasonsIyengar Yoga, hold the Yoga Postures a bit longer than
to worry, and none of us is without worry or stress.most.
Too much stress can also cause an abrupt withdrawalThe controlled breathing, practiced while holding a
from society and result in a possible depression.posture, enables the Yoga student to release stress,
Stress overload can cause job burn out, chronicand walk away from a Yoga class feeling better than
fatigue, and nervous breakdowns. All of thesehe or she did before the start of the class.
conditions can result in long-term effects that can "sap"On the other hand, Hatha Yoga sub-styles that flow
a person's life energy, focus, and motivation.such as, Vinyasa Yoga, Power Yoga, and Ashtanga
Unfortunately, stress can also be caused by the ego,Yoga, have more movement, but the repetition of
too much attachment to outcome, greed, jealousy, andmovement will also release stress from your body.
hate. This is mentioned within the Yoga Sutras, bySo, which is the best style for you? Most Yoga studios
Patanjali, which has remained a timeless guide toand wellness centers realize that students do not all
human insight. Sometimes, we create our own stress"dance to the same beat."
and are our own worst enemies.These movement-based Yoga classes differ from a
So, what's the solution? Stress management programsgentle Restorative Yoga style. Each Yoga style has its
are one answer. Have you ever noticed how manyown flavor, but a prospective student should talk to a
stress management techniques look like Yoga? To beYoga teacher prior to the particular class. This is the
honest, if something looks and sounds like Yoga; it'swisest course of action, when considering your own
probably "Yoga in disguise."goals.
I do not want to take away any credit, but Yoga is aYoga is not a complete cure for stress, but it does
5,000 year old health maintenance system. You couldcause the opposite effects of stress. Most Yoga
call Yoga the "mother" of all health maintenancestudents do find themselves living a calmer, more
systems. Many of today's health maintenancerelaxed, and healthier life style as a result of practicing
systems are "off shoots" of Yoga.Yoga on and off the mat. This is why so many
Hatha Yoga teaches you to stretch and strengthendoctors recommend Yoga to their patients.
your tense muscles, breathe correctly, relax, meditate