By Robyn Dos Santos
 
If you’ve been contemplating a yoga practice, consider the following findings.  Among the myriad benefits of a regular yoga practice are:
 
• Improved balance, strength, and flexibility
• Reduction of weight and body fat
• Stress reduction
• Increased bone mass and bone strength
• Improved cardiovascular conditioning
• Prevention of injuries
• Restore vitality and youthfulness
• Assist in psychological well-being
• Promote digestion
• Aid in spiritual connectedness
• Increase respiratory capacity and efficacy
• Improve joint motility
 
This is not a complete list.  Many yoga practitioners report significant reversals in chronic conditions as well as improved function in all areas of life. Some people who found little or no relief from traditional approaches to health and healing have found that yoga offered real and lasting improvement. Additionally, the scientific and medical communities are now recognizing yoga’s unique positioning as a health and wellness prescription.  Hundreds of random controlled studies (RCT’s) have been conducted that prove yoga’s benefits. And more are being done for a variety of conditions including neurodegenerative disorders and autoimmune conditions.

How it works

Yoga treats the body and the mind as one, integrated whole.  Coming to a yoga practice to increase flexibility in your joints just might evolve into learning to breathe more completely, more effectively.  The emphasis on stretching the body during yoga relieves tension, soreness, and sluggishness. Increased flexibility brings improvements in posture and virtually all movement activities.  Holding the poses strengthens muscle, bones, and joints. 

Breathing is often a key component to practicing yoga.  Since, we are always breathing, learning to expand on the energy of the breath will improve overall health and wellness, while reducing the effects of stress.   This breath awareness, which can be done one minute at a time, can lead to a sense of stillness, of letting go to the peaceful, undisturbed part of the mind.  Yoga’s mental and psychological benefits arise from this place, of creating new ways of thinking and doing.  Over time, this process of thought renewal can assist in working towards behavior changes (changing old habits, looking at everyday situations in a more objective way).