Yoga

Yoga is often thought of as just meditation, but it is not.  It is not as easy as it would seem to someone who has not done it.  The poses are based on balance and core strength, and work your entire body.  While you are doing the difficult poses you are supposed to keep your body relaxed, and focus on your breathing.  This is not an easy feat when you are trying to stay balanced.  It also helps keep muscles grow more limber and flexible.  Yoga is known to help with arthritis symptoms, lessening the stiffness and helping with the pain. 

When you progressively practice harder moves throughout your workout it improves your endurance.  Gentler forms of yoga can help lower blood pressure and reduce headaches and insomnia because it regulates your breathing and blood pressure. This relaxes you body and pumps oxygen through your brain, preventing headaches and helping you sleep better and longer. 

More strenuous forms of yoga are a great cardio workout, the continuous motion works your core muscles strengthens them.  Any kind of yoga will help with your posture, anxiety, and stress.  The relaxing of your mind and body releases the tension, which definitely helps.  This can help with things that are brought on by stress, like tension headaches or migraines. 

Yoga isn't as lame as a lot of people think; it’s really fun with a group of friends, especially friends working on balance.  You should try it-- it wont hurt you and, who knows, you may benefit from it.

By Claire Kuda