A Look at Yoga and What it Can Do for Your Mind, Body and Health

The benefits of yoga are many. Physically, yoga fosters strength, stamina, good posture and alignment, and increased balance and flexibility. Mentally, yoga encourages a strong focus of concentration and steady attention, as well as provides tools to quiet the mind at will. Emotionally, yoga offers peace and relaxation, and the ability to connect with an inner still point that cultivates a calm attitude.

Yoga is a proven technique with thousands of years of history. By practicing Hatha Yoga, (the postures and breathing practices) millions of people over the millennia have experienced health benefits. These practices are simply a way of saying for yourself, "I care about the quality of my experience in this embodied life. I want to take every opportunity to be in a good connection with my body, my mind, and my spirit, and with those around me."

Why is YOGA a good strategy for dealing with Stress? 

In the Body
Yoga works in the body, and much of our daily stress gets transferred to, and stored in the body. Ongoing accumulations of tension and anxiety reveal themselves as knots, soreness, stiffness, and pain in muscles and joints. Chronic stress is a primary contributor to many more serious health problems. Stress can threaten long term health and longevity, and causes our bodies to become uncomfortable places to simply BE! 

In the Mind
Yoga works in the mind, where stress typically begins. When you begin to think about an unpleasant or worrisome event in the future, you begin to build stress. When you begin to think about an unpleasant or worrisome event in the past, you begin to build pressure. When you keep your focus of attention in the here-and-now, pressure is much less likely to build up. Yoga is, more than anything, about learning to keep your moment-to-moment awareness here and now, with you, whenever you choose.