Written by Brenda
I first encountered yoga in college, back in the late 1980s. I was searching for a physical education credit. I was not into team sports and did not consider myself athletic. I still don’t. Yoga piqued my interest.
Twice a week for that semester, I entered the gym and stretched myself. I was surprised at how flexible I was, and how it improved with practice. Like most college students, I was sleep-deprived; I loved the deep relaxation of savasana. I left each class feeling energized and grounded. Maybe you have had the same feelings after a yoga class or video.
When I first encountered yoga, there wasn’t a yoga studio in most towns. We didn’t talk about yoga pants, tree pose, or any of the benefits of yoga. It was just another form of exercise. Or so I thought.
Turns out, I was wrong. Yoga was designed as a system to bring together the mind and body. The word yoga comes from a word that means unite. Historically, yoga was meant to unite us with Universal Consciousness.
Of course, there are mental health benefits to a regular yoga practice, but let’s look at the physical benefits to start.
Improved Strength and Balance
The slow movements of yoga, along with holding poses, increase blood flow and build strength. In a study of adults performing sun salutations 6 times per week, participants increased stamina and upper body strength. And anyone who has done a tree pose or warrior 3 and continued to practice over time has undoubtedly felt more stable after a few weeks. As we age, we lose both strength and balance. Since yoga helps improve these factors, it can help you maintain a healthier body as you age.
Pain Relief
Yoga can relieve pain from such sources as osteoarthritis of the knee, carpal tunnel syndrome, and arthritis. Yoga is also good for back pain relief and is recommended as a treatment for lower back pain relief. It may also decrease the frequency and severity of migraines.
Better Heart Health
Inflammation and stress are among the causes of heart problems. Practicing yoga can help reduce both as well as lower blood pressure and slow the progression of heart disease.
Lower Stress
Let’s face it, our lives are filled with many stressors. Anything we can do to reduce that is a good thing. Some asanas seem designed to bring stress relief. Have you ever done a hip opening sequence, only to feel overwhelmed with emotion? That is a release of stress. Often, when we suppress or ignore emotions, it goes to the hips. So if your hips are tight, get on the mat and release them and some stress. Other poses work, also–bridge, child’s pose, downward dog to name a few.
Better Sleep
If you have trouble sleeping, you’re not alone. Lots of people have regular or occasional bouts of insomnia. Yoga can help with that, too. It can help improve the quality and duration of your sleep; it can also decrease interruptions to sleep. It is not clear how this works, but yoga can help your body secrete melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleeping and waking. Since sleep troubles are often connected to stress, yoga’s ability to lower stress is another factor in improved sleep.
Yoga is not just for the woo-woo crowd. It has many benefits to your overall health and well-being. If you haven’t done yoga before, give it a try. There are lots of excellent videos if you want to try them at home first. You can also sign up for one of F.L.O.W.’s classes. Having tried several, I anticipate that you will end the session feeling calmer and more grounded.