| Any discussion today
about health and fitness is incomplete without
touching upon yoga. And not without good
reason. Initially thought to be just a good
way of handling stress, almost all yoga
veterans today will tell you that yoga has
kept them fit and healthy and possibly prevented
the onset of disease. That fact is supported
by medical and fitness professionals around
the world.
Different yoga poses act on different parts
of the body. Yoga is the only form of exercise
that works on even those internal organs
that are normally not stimulated throughout
the course of your life. Below are just
some of the ways in which yoga can help
you.
• Improves blood circulation; increase
in hemoglobin levels; decrease in white
blood cell count, thus increasing immunity.
• Better respiratory functioning.
This prevents asthma and can even reduce
the severity of asthma attacks. Asthma patients
who practice yoga regularly have fewer attacks
and require less medication.
• Increases efficiency in functioning
of cardiovascular system, thus preventing
heart disease. Patients with heart conditions
who practice yoga are able to recover better
and faster from heart attack or stroke.
• Better functioning of digestive
system, thus improving bowel movements and
increasing metabolism.
• Stimulates various organs and glands.
• Strengthens joints,
tendons and ligaments. This lessens arthritis
pain.
• Increases strength, endurance, and
daily energy levels, thus increasing productivity
and preventing sleep disorders.
• Facilitates weight loss or weight
gain. Studies have shown that people who
lose weight through yoga are able to keep
it off better than those who lose weight
through traditional methods, even after
they stop practicing yoga.
• Enhances flexibility, thus reducing
pain caused by illness.
Over time, yoga strengthens your body and
prevents or reduces the severity of several
diseases like diabetes, asthma, thyroid
problems, blood pressure, arthritis, arteriosclerosis,
and certain heart conditions.
So whether you’re
16 or 60; have knee problems or a severe
heart condition; yoga is the answer to health
and fitness for life.
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ON YOGA
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