Practiced for over 5000 years, yoga is a profound and popular form of exercise, with nearly 11 million Americans practicing it. It’s taught around the world in many different forms. Recent studies at the University of NC Hospitals and Duke University show yoga reduces stress and also provide significant improvements for those with illnesses such as arthritis, back pain, cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, etc. The Center for Integrative Medicine of Thomas Jefferson University found that a 1 hour session of yoga lowered cortisol in participants with no previous yoga experience, even seven days later.
The Benefits of Yoga
Whatever form of yoga you enjoy, there are enormous benefits to your body, mind and spirit. Yoga:
• increases flexibility through stretching
• improves posture
• promotes better breathing
• massages all internal organs of body
• increases lubrication of tendons, joints, ligaments
• flushes toxins out of the body
• tones muscles
• provides a deep sense of relaxation
I have been practicing yoga for over 20 years and I find it makes a tremendous difference to my energy, flexibility and strength. Try it as a new form of exercise and stress relief.
