Yoga Benefits

(from Top 10 Reasons to Try Yoga, Yoga Alliance of North America 2006) 

Yoga practitioners have long reported that the health and fitness benefits of yoga are many; this is now being confirmed by scientific research.  Some of these benefits are:

• Stress Relief - encourages relaxation and release of muscle tension and can ease symptoms of anxiety, fatigue and insomnia.
• Pain Relief - yoga has been shown to aid in reducing pain, especially in the neck and lower back by releasing muscle tension, improving posture and building strength.
• Flexibility - range of motion can be improved, often reducing aches and pains.
• Strength - yoga postures use every muscle in your body, helping to increase overall strength.
• Improved Circulation - breath awareness and various poses help move oxygenated blood more efficiently to the body's cells.
• Better Body Alignment and Posture - attention to body alignment (awareness) often results in better posture.  This often helps reduce neck, back, moint and muscle problems.
• Focus - by learning to focus on what our body and breath is doing in the present moment, we open doors to improved coordination, reaction time and memory.