Yoga is a multi-faceted discipline. While each school or tradition has a different focus, most practices share an emphasis on connecting body, breath and mind as a means of altering energy and shifting consciousness.
Scientific validation for yoga is growing rapidly. Studies in arthritis, osteopenia, balance issues, oncology, women’s health and more are pointing to its many benefits.
What is Yoga?
Yoga has been used to improve physical health, balance and strength, manage pain, reduce stress, promote healthy eating and activity habits and increase mindfulness and self-awareness. It’s also been found to be an effective way to manage chronic illness like arthritis and back pain.
People often think of the physical postures that form yoga asanas as the essence of what yoga is all about. However, that is only one small facet of what yoga can offer.
Yoga is a holistic approach that includes breathing techniques, meditation, wisdom, lifestyle practices and, yes, physical postures. When practiced correctly, it can lead to a union of the mind and body that neutralizes ego-driven thoughts and behaviors.
Benefits of Yoga
Yoga can help improve balance and flexibility, which can reduce the risk of falls that lead to injuries. In addition, poses that require a strong core — such as Chair Pose or Half-Moon Pose — can strengthen muscles that support the spine and torso, improving posture.
Yoga may also relieve stress and anxiety, which can contribute to health problems such as high blood pressure. Studies suggest that the deep breathing and relaxation techniques in yoga help lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular function.
A regular practice of yoga can also reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke by lowering cholesterol levels and cutting the level of clot-promoting proteins in the blood.
Yoga for Beginners
A regular yoga practice can lead to a variety of benefits, including improved posture and flexibility, strength training, weight loss, regulated breathing, better overall physical health, a glowing complexion, more energy, mental clarity, emotional stability and better intuition. Yoga is also a powerful tool to help you overcome inertia and change dysfunctional habits.
The good news is that anyone can start a yoga program, regardless of age or fitness level. But you should avoid practicing yoga if you have a musculoskeletal or neurological condition or are pregnant. Practicing yoga poses without proper guidance can result in injuries. It is also recommended that you avoid yoga for beginners if you have high blood pressure or are menstruating heavily.
Yoga for Athletes
Whether it’s to help elongate the muscles they spend so much time contracting or to improve balance and stability, athletes of all kinds are increasingly turning to yoga as a way to enhance their performance. Even a seven-time NBA All-Star like Joe Johnson has been known to take a yoga class before stepping onto the court.
The physical benefits of yoga are many and varied, including increased flexibility, balance, and strength. It also helps to prevent injuries by improving muscle imbalances and promoting injury recovery. Different types of yoga can be tailored to meet specific goals and needs, such as yin yoga or restorative yoga, which focus on passive stretching and relaxation.
Yoga for Seniors
Yoga is a low-impact exercise that can be adapted for seniors with different abilities. It strengthens core muscles, which improves balance and prevents falls. It also increases flexibility and reduces joint stiffness.
It can also alleviate chronic pain and encourage better sleep. In one study, seniors who regularly practiced yoga experienced less pain and required less pain medication.
In addition, yoga can increase bone density in older adults. This is especially beneficial for those who suffer from osteoporosis or osteopenia, which can lead to fractures and other health problems. It can also help them manage their symptoms, such as tremors and loss of balance.
Yoga Teacher
Becoming a yoga teacher requires a great deal of commitment and study. It is important to select a yoga teacher training program that fits your schedule and offers comprehensive instruction on yoga poses, yoga philosophy, anatomy, and meditation.
OM Factory has an intensive yoga instructor certification course that will help you deepen your personal practice while also providing teaching tools and experience. They offer a variety of training options including one-month full-time courses or a 2.5 month course that runs Friday through Sunday each week.
Many people worry that they will not be able to perform certain poses at a yoga instructor training course. But the truth is that everyone can benefit from the practice of yoga!