In the fast paced world that we live in more and more Americans suffer from stress related illnesses and disorders. If your body is under too much stress it can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, headaches and insomnia.
Yoga, which can be traced back over 5000 years has been effective in helping people reduce stress. This ancient practice teaches physical posture, breathing control and meditation. Participants learn how to stretch the body to form different poses while keeping their breathing slow and controlled at the same time.
Other health benefits of yoga include:
- more sound sleep
- reduced cortisol levels
- lower blood pressure
- spiritual growth
- reduced anxiety and muscle tension
- increased strength and flexibility
It is never too late to learn yoga to help you deal with the stress in your life. According to a recent study by the American Council on exercise, “”the regular practice of Hatha yoga significantly improved the subjects’ flexibility, muscular strength and endurance, and balance. After eight weeks, the average flexibility of the yoga group improved by 13% to 35% .”
The mind, body and spirit connection emphasized in yoga has strong emotional benefits. People who practice yoga have reported that they are able to sleep better, deal with stress easier and learn how to live on the present and not worry about the things that are beyond their control.
If you have never tried yoga before don’t worry it is very easy to learn. Many local gyms and rec departments offer begging yoga classes. There are also several affordable dvd’s for beginning yoga enthusiasts. When stress takes over your life yoga can help you relax and feel better.
Cascia Talbert is a busy blogger, publisher, freelance writer, online merchant and mother of five children, living in The Pacific Northwest. With a B.A. in history and law and a passion for writing and staying healthy, she started The Healthy Moms Magazine in 2007. The Healthy Moms Magazine is currently ranked the top health blog for moms and features several health expert writers and mom bloggers. Ms. Talbert believes that if mothers are well educated on health issues and how to stay healthy, they can pass that information down to their children and reverse the childhood obesity statistics in the U.S.
My recent interest in yoga began last year with a class in Ayurveda, which lead me to enroll in a yoga teacher training program. Prior to joining the program I knew the benefits for the body but now I see the mind/body connection. Promoting yoga in all its gloria is something I really enjoy doing and your blog displays that perfectly!
Thanks!