Feel Good Exercise: Yoga

by Laura Chervenak

About a year ago I was looking to add more variety to my workout routine and decided to try a yoga class.  I became a devotee, rarely missing a class. I always feel so wonderful afterwards because I have not only worked out my body, but have a sense of calm and relaxation you just don't find from other forms of exercise.  
 
Yoga may seem like a fairly new concept to some, but actually this practice has been around for more than 5,000 years, with more than 11 million Americans enjoying its health benefits. So what is it about yoga that has kept it going strong for this long, and has the average person turning into a “yogi?”

The secret to yoga, especially when combined with meditation, is that it provides a physical workout as it cleanses the mind  – feeding the body, the mind, and the spirit. There aren’t many other forms of exercise create oneness with the mind and body. Yoga and meditation are about breathing correctly and integrating that breath into your being, focusing attention to how your body feels as it moves and stretches, using your breath to stabilize your body as it extends into poses and stretches, and eventually balancing your mind, body, and spirit to a state of blissful peace. And the great thing about yoga is that people of all ages can benefit from it as the poses range from the most simple and basic, to more elaborate and intricate positions.

How often do we feel that we are not able to accomplish tasks clearly on a daily basis? We have so much on our minds and often carry the burden of anxiety and stress of daily life. There have been so many new studies that have been released describing the effect of stress on the human body, and it has been proven that all aspects of the body are affected. Yoga and deep breathing techniques both aid in calming the mind, which in turn helps decrease stress levels in the human body. This can improve mental clarity, physical energy, and can keep us emotionally healthy.

Another benefit of yoga is the increased flexibility in the muscles and joints. Practicing asanas (a series of yoga poses), helps stretch muscles, releasing lactic acid build-up that may be the cause fatigue, stiffness, tension, or pain. The range of motion of your joints will increase, as well as ligaments, tendons, and fascia sheath that surround the muscle. Lubrication of joints may increase, as well, helping you move more carefree and easily. As you stretch and reach, the different bending and twisting positions actually will massage all organs of the body, both internal and external. The stretching of the joints and massaging of the organs ensures optimum blood supply to various parts of the body, helping flush out toxins that are being released from your muscles and organs. This will delay the aging process and boost energy levels. It is a good idea to drink plenty of water to flush the toxins out of your system.

Your core is the center of your being. It supports your back muscles, helps your posture, and without it, you wouldn’t be able to move. Many standing and sitting poses work to strengthen your deep abdominal muscles, as these are used to support and maintain each pose. Not only is your core being worked, but because your body has to hold and support itself, all other related muscles (depending upon which pose/stretch) are being used, as well. Overall, yoga will target and tone all upper, middle, and lower muscles to improve your strength.

During the practice of yoga, deep breathing is involved, which helps build lung capacity that can increase your performance and endurance. Also, the lengthening of the breath brings your heart rate down and relaxes you, and creates conditions in which you are not affected by any happenings outside of your body. This leads to calmness that permeates the entire body, and a more positive outlook on life.

The reason yoga has been around for so long, and will likely continue to gain popularity, is because of the physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits it offers.

Namaste...Laura
 

Laura Chervenak is associate Editor of Heal With Hope, working with her mother, Andrea, to bring you ideas and inspiration for healing and health of the body, mind, and spirit. She is an avid fitness buff, a student of natural health, and is currently training to run her first marathon. 

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