Yoga – A Recipe For Life

The term Yoga is of Sanskrit origin and its literal meaning is “listen”. The practice of yoga encompasses the physical, mental and spiritual dimensions of our lives. The myriad of benefits to be gained from the discipline of Yoga makes it an extremely attractive option to achieve an excellent state of well-being.

Benefits of Yoga

Improves Sleep – The relaxation and meditation practices of Yoga, such as asana, yoga nidra and pranayama boost the state of pratyahara, which is an inward turning of the senses that allows the nervous system to relax. A direct result of this is a deeper sleep, which in turn can significantly help reduce stress and increase productivity levels.

Improves Flexibility – Inflexible muscles and ligaments contribute greatly to a poor posture. The knee for example can become strained due to tight, inflexible hips, while back pains are linked to tight hamstrings. The loosening of muscles, connective tissue and ligaments that results through a regular Yoga practice leads to a reduction of aches and pains that occur throughout your body.

Increases Blood Flow – The relaxation exercises of Yoga can help greatly to boost blood circulation, especially in the hands and feet. Certain poses such as “twisting” help to push deoxygenated blood from internal organs and allow oxygenated blood to flow in once the twist is released. Inverted poses such as “headstand” help to move deoxygenated blood from the legs, hips and torso back to the heart, which then pumps it to the lungs to be oxygenated. Increased blood flow thins the blood, making platelets less adhesive by reducing the level of proteins that cause blood clotting. This subsequently lessens the risk of heart attacks and strokes significantly.

Helps You Focus – Studies have shown that regular Yoga practice has contributed to increases in coordination, memory and reaction time. The primary reason for this is the fact that Yoga teaches its users to focus on the present. Meditation enhances the ability to solve problems and the management of information, mainly because meditators are less distracted by their thoughts.

Boosts Immune System –Yoga aids in building immunity to disease and infection. The constant exercising of muscles, shifting of organs, and the opening and closing of Yoga postures all help to drain lymphatic fluids around the body. Lymphatic fluids contain immune cells that fight infection by destroying cancerous cells and getting rid of toxic waste from cellular metabolism.

Conclusion

Indulging in the practice of Yoga can improve many areas of your life. This article highlights a few of the numerous ways that Yoga can help to promote and maintain a healthy, peaceful and productive lifestyle.