Yoga will help keep you healthy because it integrates and balances
all the body systems. It keeps the body supple, stretches the spine,
strengthens the muscles, and massages vital organs. The postures
should be done in unison with the breath by relaxing into them with
the exhalations. This allows tense muscles to soften and stretch,
and tension to drain away. At the same time, relaxation messages
are sent to the brain and bring about a body/mind harmony and heightened
awareness. In a general sense yoga is a natural form of stress relief.
It is also an excellent form of preventive medicine and will help
keep you in good shape for many years.
Much research has been done that shows the therapeutic effect of
the many yoga practices on the different body systems.
Muscular:
Muscles that are tense are usually short and tight. When done correctly, yoga postures relax and lengthen the muscles while toning them at the same time. When we relax into postures with awareness the muscles send messages of relaxation to the brain in a biofeedback loop.
Endocrine:
The glands play an essential role in the correct functioning of the body. Glandular activity is stimulated through inverted postures; those that have the head down or the back arched, or that involve compressing the abdomen.
Respiratory:
Yoga breathing techniques (pranayama) maintain elasticity in the bronchioles and increase lung capacity by expanding the ribs and opening the chest.
Cardiovascular:
Many of the postures and breathing techniques massage the heart. Circulation is improved by the more dynamic postures, and when the legs are placed higher than the heart the venal valves are rested and drained.
Lymphatic/Immune Response:
The lymph system helps the cardiovascular system drain the body’s tissues, which is very helpful because this system has no pump of its own. Those postures that squeeze the lymph glands will stimulate this activity. Immune Response: in conjunction with relaxation techniques, any of the yoga postures will promote a healthy immune response, especially if they are combined with good eating habits and adequate rest.
Nervous system:
Controlled rhythmic breathing, relaxation, and the gentler postures tone the nervous system.
Skeletal:
The spine is the body’s foundation. Many of the yoga movements involve bending forward, backward, and sideways, as well as, twisting; all of which promote strength and flexibility of the spine. These movements also stimulate the spinal nerves, which affect other areas of the body.
Digestive/Excretory:
Those yoga postures that squeeze and compress the abdominal area stimulate peristaltic activity. Done in conjunction with good eating habits and drinking at least six glasses of water a day, they improve digestive and excretory function.
Reproductive:
Postures that tone and relax pelvic muscles and that open up this region promote better pelvic circulation and greatly assist with menstrual or infertility problems.
Psychological:
Yoga relaxation and meditation techniques are known to create a sense of well-being and harmony on the physical, emotional, and mental levels. These techniques create whole brain functioning by balancing the right and left hemispheres, thereby improving mental process. They give clarity of thought; they reduce anxiety and decrease depression; they integrate and ground one in their body. They can strengthen concentration and develop intellect.