Yoga is a system of breathing practices, physical postures, and meditation uniting body, mind, and spirit. The stretching, bending, and balancing involved in the postures that are part of a yoga practice help to align the head and spine; stimulate the circulatory system, endocrine glands, and other organs; keep muscles and joints strong and flexible. Yoga programs have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering blood pressure and anxiety levels. The breath control exercises emphasize slow and deep abdominal breathing. They benefit the respiratory system, helping to induce a sense of relaxation, and are useful in pain management.
|
In yoga, we let go of negative thoughts, expectations, and we learn to make friends with our bodies. We learn to become more mindful in our everyday activities, as well as when we are on the mat. Yoga can help us become more balanced in mind and body; we become calmer and less stressed, and we increase our strength and fitness.
"yoga teaches us to endure what cannot be cured, and to cure what need not be endured" B.K.S. Iyengar |