Understanding The Benefits Of Yoga

Understanding The Benefits Of Yoga - By: Noel Swanson, 2008-01-23

What are the benefits of yoga? This is the most asked question by people who are thinking about practising yoga. It may not be entirely possible to give a comprehensive explanation, as there are simply too many. We will only discuss in this article some of the most important benefits that you can expect from doing yoga.

* Overall Harmony

The most important benefit of yoga is its primary goal, which is harmony. Those who have practised yoga for a long time have already enjoyed physical, mental and psycho-spiritual harmony. All the other so-called life-changing benefits of yoga should drive home to this single most important benefit. It is through the achievement of harmony that one's entire life is modified and enhanced. When one's parts of the self are harmonized, one can function productively and respond positively to internal and external stimuli.

* Enhanced Self-awareness

Before practitioners got into yoga, they were probably experiencing body or mental pain and discomfort due to various reasons. Those who practise yoga are usually able to recognize problems in their body and mind before they can even cause problems. Early recognition allows prompt correction. One, for example, can quickly correct bad posture to avoid back pain.

* Stress Management

The management of stress is always included in any list of the benefits of yoga. This encompasses stress of both physical and psychological kind. Concentration, detachment, breathing exercises and other meditative techniques involved in yoga all contribute to inducing calmness, relaxation and a critical change in personal views.

* A Pain Reliever

Those who are experiencing temporary acute pain or chronic pain due to certain medical conditions can benefit from yoga. At the very least, yoga can improve one's strength, posture and alignment which in effect can reduce some muscle and joint pains. Yoga has also been known to help increase the release of natural body chemicals that can relieve pain. For those who are suffering severe pain conditions, more advanced yoga techniques may be needed. It is possible for yoga practitioners to learn to detach themselves from feelings of pain and even change the way they view pain.

* Body Strength and Flexibility

Some physical pains and discomfort may be due to problems with the bones, muscles and joints. These parts may lack physical strength and endurance and therefore are limited in the ability to move about. Yoga can remedy the problems in these parts by improving your overall body strength and flexibility. With yoga, you learn to move better and in a wider range. You can also endure certain activities better.

* Physical Healing

For most people who are not ill, yoga can improve physical and mental health by improving the circulation of the blood and the functioning of the organs and body systems. Those who have certain medical conditions however can also benefit from yoga. Those with diabetes, arthritis, weight issues, high blood pressure and asthma can all hope to improve their condition and reduce symptoms through yoga techniques.

The benefits of yoga are just too many to be ignored. If you want to improve your body, health and outlook in life, you should consider learning yoga now. It is simply the best way to heal and harmonize your entire self.

Now that you understand the enormous benefits of yoga, you probably would like to get started. Be sure you also check out our complete online yoga guide for more information to help your yoga practice.

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