The Health Benefits of Yoga

Yoga is usually known to people as a form of exercising that works a little differently than a traditional one. THere are many poses to take, many with long names that are hard to pronounce. If you walk past a yoga studio in a warm day you can smell the incense wafting from inside and hear the low gutteral sound of “Om” drifting through. Yoga has been around for thousands of years and has roots in Hinduism. In Northern India, scholars believe the pre classical yoga begin by the civilization of Indus-Sarasvati which could go back over 5000 years. Where it originated from, there are some basics everyone knows who engages in the practice of yoga. Here are the benefits of such an ancient practice and how it can help in your WEstern healing.

What is Yoga?

There are many different kinds of yoga such as hatha, astanga, vinyasa, and bikram yoga . While they all stem from the same principals, they give you as the practitioner a choice of what you wish to do from gentle to more intense. Hatha and vinyasa are known for being more slower and gentler on you, concentrating on the breathing techniques. Hatha healing and therapeutic techniques were integrated in Bikram Choudhury’s Bikram or Hot Yoga. These twenty six poses are done in a room with the temperature up to a steamy 105 degrees. While doing the asanas or poses the heat is supposed to eliminate toxins. Yoga is not considered a cardiovascular workout however, you can get your heart rate up nicely in a hot yoga class while moving at a faster pace than gentle yoga. If hot yoga is something you would like to try, always come prepared. Since you will sweating make sure you hydrate and eat well during the way. Like all workouts listen to your body and don’t push until there is an injury.

 

Whether at home or in the studio, all yoga is begun with Surya Namaskara or the Sun Salutation. This is a sequence of a few poses to start off your practice which you can do a few rotations of or just once. Every practice is unique and made for you at the student. Yoga can be incorporated into any active lifestyle or alone. It is also used in many rehabilitation programs.

Yoga for Health

Yoga helps lengthens and strengthens your muscles. You are using your own body weight to do many poses such has handstands and poses for balance. For instance if you are suffering from neck or spine issues your doctor may recommend programs that have yoga included. You can discuss your spinal care in New Jersey to use yoga to help gain more flexibility and decrease pain. Asanas such as downward facing down helps stretch out a tight back and neck. Another pose called the triangle can be modified by using a foam block made specifically for modified poses or using a chair. Being more flexible increases your range of motion, circulation, pain from tightness, and better posture. It also helps decrease your risk of injury when you are more limber. Thirty one million American suffer from some form of back pain which is the leading cause of disability. It can be caused by a number of things such as injury from a fall, obesity, stress, and from doing everyday activities.

Yoga for Cancer

A good benefit of yoga is the relaxation and breathing techniques to help calm you. Performing asanas such as the Sun Salutation bring many benefits to those in chemotherapy and survivors. Your cancer care center in Rahway, NJ or near you can point you in the direction of a class. You can do this in the comfort of your own home by following videos or a streaming channel. Women who are delaying with the side effects of radiation due to breast cancer found improvements. They had less fatigue and their quality of life seemed to get better. Patients found a better connection with themselves and people which lead to a greater connection when dealing with pain. Sleeping can be improved by calming the mind by mediation or taking a few moments for yourself. Classes created for those with cancer can open up a new community for you to join. Comradery is a great way to share what is bothering you with people who understand.