The Benefits of Yoga

Having you ever taken a Yoga class or thought about taking a Yoga class? Check out some of the great benefits of Yoga:

Flexibility: Yoga poses (called asanas) work by stretching your muscles, thus releasing lactic acid. The results are less stiffness, tension, pain, and fatigue. While stretching the muscles it also stretches ligaments, tendons, and the fascia sheath that surrounds your muscles. Yoga increases the range of motion and fluidity of your joints. Most participants had a 35% improvement in flexibility after only 8 weeks! Best of all you don't have to do any "pretzel" moves to feel the benefits!

Strength:Some styles of Yoga are more physically challenging than others, such as Ashtanga or Power Yoga. However, even a basic Hatha Yoga class will help you develop more muscle tone. Just try holding Plank or Downward Facing Dog for 10 breaths!

Breathing: Yoga focuses on deep, mindful breaths. This type of breathing will increase lung capacity, stimulate the relaxation response, ease symptoms of asthma, and leave you feeling more calm and peaceful.

Heart benefits: Yoga helps to lower blood pressure and slows the heart rate, which can benefit those with hypertension and heart disease. KU Med Center is doing a study on Yoga and people with arrhythmia. Atrial fibrilation affects 2.2 million Americans. Symptoms include chest pains, dizziness, palpitations, fatigue, and shortness of breath. It's still early in the study but most participants enjoyed Yoga and are experiencing positive benefits. One participant said, "Before Yoga I could barely walk across the lawn and now I can mow it!"

Other benefits: Yoga has positive effects on learning and memory. It can slow the aging process and improve energy levels. Studies have shown it to ease insomnia, arthritis and back pain.

If Yoga is something you would like to try, please check out my FREE classes at North Spring United Methodist Church, 601 NE Jefferson Street, Blue Springs, MO 64014. I will be offering a FREE 6 week session starting this Weds, Oct. 7th at 11 a.m. Everyone is welcome and you'll help me to obtain my RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) certification!



Eat Intentionally and practice Yoga!