There are many reasons that you should practice Yoga.
Yoga for health assurance
By Sheila Palmquist R.Y.T.
The only way to insure your health is to find a balance that keeps your body, mind and spirit at peace and working together. The current research proving the healing power of yoga is making many western physicians add yoga and meditation to their list of complimentary therapies. I have seen many of my students experience the benefits of proper breathing to combat stress and anxiety. Moving the body in gentle ways to relieve pain or let go of the sense that the body has betrayed them. When going through cancer treatment, living with chronic pain or heart disease your mind and spirit are some of the defining factors of your recovery. We cannot treat one and ignore the other, each affects the other. We are human beings, what is the being part of this factor if our body, mind or spirit are ill? It is up to us to be kind to ourselves, our whole selves so we can be whole. Americans maintain their vehicles better than themselves. Why do we value our things and others more than ourselves? If we deserve to be punished, change the behavior. Isn’t this what we try to teach our children? Practicing yoga is an excellent way to be proactive concerning your overall health and wellbeing.
If you control the breath you can gain control of the mind. When we hold our breath the body and mind react with tension. Start to be aware of your breathing when you are under stress. When we take a deep breath the body and mind react with a sense of calm. By breathing diaphragmatically you bring 7x more oxygen into the body per breath! To maintain a good quality of life we must take care of our vehicle (you). Keep moving, a combination of stretching, strengthening, and cardio exercise is necessary. Make modifications that work for your body. Slow down, by holding many of the standing or weight barring yoga postures your body initiates the process of growing new bone. Whether you are recovering from an injury or a seasoned athlete looking to stay injury free and focused there is a practice for you. Although yoga can feel like magic, it is not and has been practiced for thousands of years. Everyone’s journey to find a life of balance is as individual as we are. The path may be different but the destination is the same. I invite you to give yoga a try. There are many different styles of yoga to suit all needs. Find a registered instructor and style that you like. Keep in mind, yoga is non-judgmental and non-competitive this includes not judging or competing with yourself . Be present; learn to be okay with things as they are, without wishing them different. The difference between illness and wellness is the “I” and the “we” so let’s work together and live consciously. Namaste.
