Benefits of yoga

Stevie Kitchens
Yoga II

Yoga is a type of exercise that focuses on connecting body, spirit, and

mind. There are many benefits of doing yoga, physical and mental. Benefits
can range from becoming more flexible, stronger, toned, lessoning chronic
pain, and lowering blood pressure, to managing stress more effectively, and
reaching a more positive outlook on life. There is a wide variety of types of
yoga, so just about anyone can do it, from children to the elderly.
There are a lot of physical benefits you can get from practicing yoga.
According to the American Osteopathic Association the relaxation techniques
in yoga can lessen chronic pain, such as lower back pain, arthritis,
headaches and carpal tunnel syndrome, it can also lower blood pressure and
reduce insomnia, Increased flexibility, muscle strength and tone, Improved
respiration, energy and vitality, Maintaining a balanced metabolism, Weight
reduction, Cardio and circulatory health. Yoga helps boost your immune
system to prevent sickness as well.
There is also a lot of mental benefits from practicing yoga regularly. It
helps improve stress management which lessens the negative effects of
stress, like headaches, and a lack of concentration. This helps with a positive
outlook on life. Regular yoga practice incorporation of meditation and
breathing helps create calmness, clarity, and awareness of body and mind.

Research on yoga has become very popular. One pilot study done on
patients with chronic lower back pain had very positive results. They took 22
people from the ages of 30 to 65, and modified a 6 week Hatha yoga
program for them to participate in. The group practiced one hour two times
a week for 6 weeks. After each practice they answered questionnaires about
their disability, depression, and how they perceived their instructor, group
dynamics, and the impact on their personal lives. They also had a pre
assessment before they started yoga. Each participant showed more
strength and flexibility, and lessened depression, and their disability. It also
fastened relaxation, and a new self-awareness. Although this study has a
small sample size, it shows consistent positive results.
Another study (4) showed that practicing yoga regularly helps
Mitochondrial function, Insulin secretion, and Telomere maintenance. It also
reduced expression of genes linked to Inflammatory response, and stressrelated pathways.
there are more than 100 types of yoga practice, some are fast and
intense, others are gentle and relaxing. There is even laughter yoga where
you literally just laugh. The large variety of types of yoga and their intensity
make it possible for everyone to practice. There are modifications for every
pose to make them fit the ability of the person practicing. There is even
chair yoga for people that have a hard time standing or getting on their feet.
It is also very easy to practice at home if you know the poses, or if you have
a yoga video, and it can be done outside.

Yoga has almost an endless amount of benefits, physically, and mentally.

It is beneficial for everyone. There are different intensities, different styles,
and modifications for everyone. It is a convenient healthy workout that
focuses calmness, clarity, self-awareness, and mind and body connection
that other workouts dont do. Research is continuous on Yoga, there is still
some processes that are not understood, but the benefits that have been
confirmed are very promising for a lot of people with different disabilities,
and for average people that want to stay healthy and in shape.

THE IMPACT OF MODIFIED HATHA YOGA ON CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN: A PILOT
STUDY Galantino, Mary Lou; Bzdewka, Todd M; Eissler-Russo, Jamie L; Holbrook,
Matthew L; et al. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine10.2 (Mar/Apr 2004):
56-9.
http://search.proquest.com/openview/de3aa095709cdea28b1a194ce0fcfb31/1?pqorigsite=gscholar
http://www.osteopathic.org/osteopathic-health/about-your-health/health-conditionslibrary/general-health/Pages/yoga.aspx

2013 May 1;8(5):e62817. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062817. Print 2013. Relaxation

response induces temporal transcriptome changes in energy metabolism, insulin
secretion and inflammatory pathways. Bhasin MK1, Dusek JA, Chang BH, Joseph MG,
Denninger JW, Fricchione GL, Benson H, Libermann TA.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23650531