Blog contributed by Bethany Rhoads PA-C, Camp Hill Evening Care
It seems that if anything has been practiced and has lasted
for more than 5,000 years, then there must be good reason for it. Yoga is one such tradition. As a health care
practitioner, I encourage yoga to my patients for many reasons, the first one
being that almost anyone can do it!
There are many different types of yoga that make it suitable for almost
anyone. The most general concept and purpose of yoga is to “bring mind and body
together.” Mental health is just as
important as physical health, and I believe this frequently gets overlooked in
our society. We are so busy with our
jobs, raising our families, and trying to squeeze in exercise that often stress
management and our mental clarity gets pushed to the wayside. The three main
components of yoga are breathing, meditation and exercise. As mentioned, there
are multiple types of yoga, but the one most commonly practiced in the US is
hatha yoga.
There are many benefits of practicing yoga. Medically, yoga has been proven to reduce the
pain and improve the activities of daily living associated with chronic pain,
decrease blood pressure and heart rate, and also improve symptoms of anxiety
and depression. There are approximately 100 million American adults that suffer
from chronic pain, 67 million with high blood pressure, and 54 million with anxiety/depression
disorders. This means that up to 200
million Americans , or about 60% of our population, could possibly benefit from
incorporating the practice of yoga into their lives!
The best way to introduce yourself to yoga is to visit a
studio in your area and attend a class.
You can also follow an introductory DVD or even catch it onDemand if you
have cable. As was mentioned, yoga is
suitable for ALMOST anyone. Pregnant
women or people with other concerning health conditions should talk to their
primary care provider before beginning such an exercise regimen. However, keep in mind the breathing techniques
and meditation that go along with the physical component of yoga can always be
done by itself and still have health benefits!
I will leave you with the greeting that typically begins and
ends a yoga class- “Namaste.” This translates to “I bow to you.” So, Namaste, and I hope I have encouraged you
to try yoga soon!
Sources: National
Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
American
Yoga Association
Center for
Disease Control and Prevention
Yoga is an incredible way of keeping fit and healthy. It incorporates physical exercises, breathing techniques and meditation which is sure to provide you relief from stress and make your body flexible if you practice it on regular basis. Yoga helps to connect your body, mind and soul. There are numerous yoga benefits and this has led many to practice it on a regular basis.
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