Health Benefits of Yoga on the Mind and Body

The daily stressors of life can have a negative impact on both your mind and body. Thankfully, the health benefits of yoga may be helpful in reversing these effects. Osteopathic physician and yoga instructor, Natalie Nevins, explains that “the purpose of yoga is to create strength, awareness and harmony in both the mind and body.”

Both the Mayo Clinic and the American Osteopathic Association report physical and mental benefits of yoga practice. Some of the physical health benefits of yoga include increased flexibility, muscle strength and tone, balanced metabolism, weight loss, cardiovascular health improvement and management of chronic conditions. Yoga practice can also positively affect the mind with benefits including stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia reduction, as well as, an overall sense of well being.

This method of relaxation, which is deeply rooted in ancient Indian history, is practiced by many Americans as a way to improve muscle strength, endurance and as a way to tone the body. In fact, many athletes regularly incorporate yoga into their fitness practice. The practice of yoga has been shown to improve the mind body connection by aiding the body’s ability to interpret complex signal pathways, including that of the brain and muscles ability to process nerve signals. The result: increased fluidity.

Yoga instructors will guide you through a set of asanas (postures/poses) and breath work, which at first may be challenging, but don’t give up. Your practice will become more fluid with time and diligence. With so many schools of yoga to choose from, there is something for everyone. Below are descriptions of 3 types of yoga practice which you may be able to incorporate into your exercise practice.

Bikram: Bikram yoga is a series of 26 poses which is practiced in a room heated to 100° F, to encourage sweating. While warming the body, these poses stretch the muscles, ligaments and tendons.

Kripalu: This is a form of yoga which brings the mind, body and spirit together in practice. It is comprised of three stages which include: willful practice, willful surrender and meditation in motion. The practice of Kripalu yoga has been associated with spiritual healing.

Asthtanga and power yoga: This form of yoga is known for its fast paced movement and breath work; it is alternately known as “power yoga”. This type of yoga practice, requires breath and posture synchronization, which results in sweating and detoxification. This practice of yoga brings the mind and body together by improving circulation and easing the mind.

As with any diet or exercise program, speak with your healthcare provider to determine what plan is best for you; consider working with a qualified certified trainer. If you live in New York City or San Francisco or are just visiting, skip the waiting room and contact Pager to arrange an in home appointment with a board certified physician for a routine physical clearing you for an exercise program or to evaluate and treat workout-related injuries.

References:

1. The Benefits of Yoga. http://www.osteopathic.org/osteopathic-health/about-your-health/health-conditions-library/general-health/Pages/yoga.aspx Accessed January 19, 2016
2. Yoga for the Body and Mind. http://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/yoga-for-the-body-and-mind Accessed January 19, 2016
3. Yoga: Fight stress and find serenity. http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/yoga/art-20044733?pg=2 Accessed January 19, 2016
4. Bikram Yoga. www.bikramyoga.com Accessed January 19, 2016
5. Ashtanga Yoga. http://www.ashtanga.com/ Accessed January 19, 2016

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