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Benefits of Yoga
Yoga benefits
the body, mind and spirit. In recent years, yoga has worked its way into the
mainstream health and fitness programs because people have begun to
understand the benefits that those who practice it gain. When practiced
regularly it can make a measured difference in a person’s physical, mental
and spiritual health.
The physical
benefits of yoga are outstanding. It’s been shown that yoga can:
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Increase muscle, joint and
tendon flexibility
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Tone and strengthen muscles
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Increase cardiovascular
efficiency
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Decrease blood pressure
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Increase respiratory functions
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Improve eye-hand coordination
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Improve posture
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Improve balance
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Increase energy levels
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Lower weight
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Increase endurance
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Eliminate toxins from the body
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Heal damaged muscles
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Limit the effects of diabetes,
digestive orders, arthritis, asthma and heart conditions and decrease
dependence on drugs for these problems
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Manage pain
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Reduce anxiety
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Increased stamina
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Slow the aging process
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Improve the immune system
One of the most
impressive physical benefits of yoga that many people report having is an
increased awareness of their bodies and when their bodies aren’t performing
as they should. They can actually sense when a health problem is beginning.
This allows them to start treating the problem before it goes any further,
preempting many serious illnesses.
Yoga not only
contributes to physical health; with regular practice it also can improve
mental health. Practitioners of yoga have reported the benefits for
centuries, and recently the scientific community has begun to research and
confirm what has always been believed. The psychological benefits of yoga
can include:
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Mental clarity
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Stress reduction
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Emotional groundedness
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Increased body awareness
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A relaxed mind
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Improved ability to pay
attention, concentrate and retain information
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A countering effect to the
feelings of depression or helplessness
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Increased brain activity
including an improved communication between the left side of the brain and
the right side of the brain
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Positive changes in mood
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Positive change sin vitality
and energy
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An increased sex drive and a
healthier view of sex
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Pride in taking care of the
body
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Kinesthetic awareness
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A decrease in hostility and
anger
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Increased social skills
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A feeling of being refreshed
immediately after yoga – as if just waking from a good nap
On the
spiritual level, many who practice yoga also report benefits. Some of the
spiritual benefits believed to come from yoga are:
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A greater awareness of nature and a person’s connection to
nature
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A feeling of being at one with the universe
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An awareness of how the yoga practitioner’s life affects the
lives around him
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A sense of peace
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Enjoyment of oneself
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Enjoyment of life
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Awaking of the energy within oneself
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A connection with the soul
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An awareness of the Life Force
It’s easy to
see how the three areas that benefit from the practice of yoga – body, mind
and spirit – can intertwine. When the three areas are working together in
harmony, the benefits of yoga increase. Because of the effects that yoga
has, there is much that a person can accomplish that he may not be able to
if not for yoga.
For instance,
many people report that practicing yoga has helped them with smoking
cessation. When the body is less stressed, when there is an increased
awareness of the body, when there is an emotional groundedness and when
there is sense of peace, it is easier to resist the pull of a cigarette or
many other addictive habits. The practice of yoga can change much in
person’s life.
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