Yoga

Yoga… does standing on your head really help your health?

Practiced in India for over 5000 years, yoga is credited with enhancing calmness, mental clarity, and general well-being. Styles of yoga include Hatha, Bikram, Iyengar, Kripalu, Kundalini, and Ashtanga, among many others. While the styles differ in emphasis and the rigor of the practices, most combine some form of breathing technique, physical postures, and meditation or relaxation.
Yoga has become increasingly popular in many parts of the world as an element of a healthy lifestyle. Recent studies by medical researchers suggest that yoga also has value in treating certain chronic medical conditions. Researchers are studying the role of yoga in the treatment of asthma, chronic low back pain, allergies, insomnia, fatigue, depression, multiple sclerosis, digestive disorders, cancer, and anxiety. Meditation, an essential part of most yoga practices, appears to slow age-related mental decline.
While all yoga’s health benefits have not been proven, it is clear that the practice of yoga can:
• Improve mood and sense of well-being;
• Counteract stress;
• Reduce heart rate and blood pressure;
• Increase lung capacity;
• Improve muscle relaxation;
• Improve overall physical fitness, strength, and flexibility; and
• Have a positive effect on levels of certain blood and/or brain chemicals.

Different yoga postures, or asanas, have different effects on the body and mind. Some are energizing, while others are relaxing. Some asanas relieve back strain, while others are good for digestion. Restorative yoga is more directly therapeutic and aims to restore function after an injury or illness.
Risks of injury from yoga are minimal, but people with medical conditions should steer away from certain postures. For example, shoulder stands and headstands can exacerbate neck injuries. People with detached retinas or who have had recent cataract surgery should not do inverted postures, in which the head moves below the heart, putting pressure on the eyes. The asanas that benefit pregnant women change with the trimester. People with serious medical conditions should consult with their medical providers before starting yoga.
Yoga is easily adapted to the individual. Some yoga classes focus on specific conditions or stages of life. Many yoga teachers offer private sessions and can design yoga practices to meet personal needs. More and more physicians understand the value of yoga in overall health and support integrating yoga into a treatment plan.
Yoga can be practiced at home and in classes. Most urban areas have yoga classes in private studios, medical centers, gyms, community centers, or adult education programs. Costs vary according to the settings. CDs are readily available for home practice. Opportunities for practicing yoga abound and the benefits can be truly life-enhancing.