Yoga's Fitness Benefits: General Exercise & Fitness Discussions

HealthyPals · **Site Rank:** Site Admin

Yoga refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines originating in India. The word is associated with meditative practices in both Buddhism and Hinduism. The word yoga means "union" in Sanskrit. "Yoga" can be more accurately described by the Sanskrit word asana, which refers to the practice of physical postures or poses.

Many people think that yoga is nothing but stretching. But while stretching is certainly involved, yoga is really about creating balance in the body through developing both strength and flexibility.

Yoga can benefit any athlete and/or increase fitness levels. Yoga works out your body in ways that your typical weight lifting and aerobic routine cannot do. It can help your flexibility, coordination, conditioning, balance, and your fluidity of motion. It helps you become more aware of your body's posture, alignment and patterns of movement.

Yoga is extremely effective in the following:

Increasing your flexibility: yoga has positions that act upon the various joints of the body including those joints that are never really on the 'radar screen' let alone exercised.
Toning your muscles: Muscles that have become weak are stimulated repeatedly to shed excess flab and flaccidity.
Reducing back pain: Yoga has consistently been used to cure and prevent back pain by enhancing strength and flexibility.
Weight reduction: Regular yoga practice can help in weight management.
Reduce high blood pressure: The relaxation and exercise components of yoga have a major role to play in the treatment and prevention of high blood pressure (hypertension).

If you are interested in getting started in Yoga, the best way is to seek a class in your area. Through a local class you will be able to get demonstrations of the yoga postures and receive guidance and advice on holding them.

Yoga can also make you laugh! New laughing yoga classes are available all over the world. Check out this video of an Oprah show in which she reported on laughing yoga:

tammy · **Site Rank:** Site Admin

I used to do yoga a lot when I had really bad lower back pains. It definitely helped loosen it up and make it feel better.

Laughter yoga looks interesting! I haven't heard of anything like that around my area. I wonder if there is any classes like that here in Washington.

Y's Guy · **Site Rank:** Moderator

I think I am going to try to find out how to do this and teach it to some of the classes that I have at the Retirement community. I am intrigued! I love to laugh.

tammy · **Site Rank:** Site Admin

The prime goal of yoga is to relieve the body of tension by using a series of stretching movements that are performed slowly and methodically.

I have found that when I try to do a single yoga stretch here and there individually that it does not help my back problems as much as it does when I do a yoga class and following their specific series of stretches. Apparently doing the stretches in the order they do, helps a lot!

If practiced consistently, yoga can give elasticity to the spine, firm the skin, tone flabby muscles, and improve poor posture.

blackberry · **Site Rank:** Healthy Friend

I'm so interested about yoga but unfortunately I can't find time to do it.

tammy · **Site Rank:** Site Admin

blackberry wrote:

I'm so interested about yoga but unfortunately I can't find time to do it.

What is your schedule like?

blackberry · **Site Rank:** Healthy Friend

I have to work for long hours only retires to get some sleep, take a bath, then a little break at work for 6 days in a week. I only have one day off but I spend it with my family and boyfriend. When we go to parks and malls, that's when I can only do some walks.

HealthyPals · **Site Rank:** Site Admin

Hi blackberry... I'm curious, what do you do for work?

blackberry · **Site Rank:** Healthy Friend

I do two works. One is writing which I do at home then the other is as an office clerk.

wittyprmt · **Site Rank:** Healthy Friend

The primary goal of yoga is to COMBINE OUR BODY AND MIND for spiritual and physical awakening. More than weight loss and fitness, yoga aims to relieve stress and FLUSH OUT THE TOXINS as well.

Yes, you should try it. But you must get a qualified instructor. If done badly, Yoga is your worst nightmare.

Shaun · **Site Rank:** Healthy Acquaintance

Well this is an informative post and i really like it. Thanks for sharing yoga benefits. This information is useful for everyone. Keep posting.

Daxter · **Site Rank:** Healthy Friend

Hi All,
Some more benefits of yoga are:

Yoga relief stress,
Yoga reduces weight,
Yoga brings flexibility in your body,
Yoga reduce high blood pressure,
Yoga stable autonomic nervous system balance,
Yoga helps in breathing better,
Yoga increased your strength,
Yoga relief pain,
Yoga reduce pulse rate,
yoga reduced cholesterol level,
Yoga improves memory,
Yoga improve the mood and the subjective well being.

Stenly · **Site Rank:** Healthy Acquaintance

Yoga improves your flexibility
It helps to improve your balance.
Yoga can help reduce pain
It tones your muscles
It helps to increase your level of energy
Yoga helps promote a sense of relaxation
Yoga clears your mind and helps you focus your attention.
Yoga helps reduces stress
Yoga can help release stuck emotions

Corona Rehabilitation Center

Jameyabc · **Site Rank:** Healthy Friend

There are lot benefits of yoga and it is very beneficial for health It maintains the blood circulation and also improves the immune system.Yoga gives relief in pain. Yoga is good in weight loss.

Breddy · **Site Rank:** Healthy Acquaintance

Yoga is a healthy exercise. It makes us strong and healthy. Yoga provides us fresh air which is useful for body and health. Yoga is best cardio and good for everyone.

Personal trainer Spokane

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