70+ Benefits of Yoga on Mental and Physical Health
Yoga books tell us that Yoga, as we
all know, is aimed to unite the mind, the body, and the spirit. Yogis view that
the mind and the body are one, and that if it is given the right yoga kit and
tools and taken to the right environment, it can find harmony and heal itself.
Yoga therefore is considered therapeutic. It helps you become more aware of
your body's posture, alignment and patterns of movement. It makes the body more
flexible and helps you relax even in the midst of a stress stricken
environment. This is one of the foremost reasons why people want to start
Practicing Yoga - to feel fitter, be more energetic, be happier and peaceful.
Yoga is a science that has been
practiced for thousands of years. It is consists of Ancient Theories,
observations and principles about the mind and body connection which is now
being proven by modern medicine. Substantial research has been conducted to
look at the Health Benefits of Yoga - from the Yoga Postures (Asanas), Yoga
Breathing (Pranayama), and Meditation. The information on Yoga Poses &
Benefits are grouped into two categories-physiological, psychological.
Furthermore, scientists have laid these results against the benefits of regular
exercise.
Physiological benefits
of Yoga
1.
Stable autonomic nervous system equilibrium
2.
Pulse rate decreases
3.
Respiratory rate decreases
4.
Blood Pressure decreases (of special
significance for hypo reactors)
5.
Galvanic Skin Response (GSR)
increases
6.
EEG - alpha waves increase (theta,
delta, and beta waves also increases during various stages of meditation)
7.
EMG activity decreases
8.
Cardiovascular efficiency increases
9.
Respiratory efficiency increases
10.
Gastrointestinal function normalizes
11.
Endocrine function normalizes
12.
Excretory functions improve
13.
Musculoskeletal flexibility and
joint range of motion increase
14.
Breath-holding time increases
15.
Joint range of motion increase
16.
Grip strength increases
17.
Eye-hand coordination improves
18.
Dexterity skills improve
19.
Reaction time improves
20.
Posture improves
21.
Strength and resiliency increase
22.
Endurance increases
23.
Energy level increases
24.
Weight normalizes
25.
Sleep improves
26.
Immunity increases
27.
Pain decreases
28.
Steadiness improves
29.
Depth perception improves
30.
Balance improves
31.
Integrated functioning of body parts
improves
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Psychological benefits
of Yoga
1.
Somatic and kinesthetic awareness
increase
2.
Mood improves and subjective
well-being increases
3.
Self-acceptance and
self-actualization increase
4.
Social adjustment increases
5.
Anxiety and Depression decrease
6.
Hostility decreases
7.
Concentration improves
8.
Memory improves
9.
Attention improves
10.
Learning efficiency improves
11.
Mood improves
12.
Self-actualization increase
13.
Social skills increases
14.
Well-being increases
15.
Somatic and kinesthetic awareness
increase
16.
Self-acceptance increase
17.
Attention improves
18.
Concentration improves
19.
Memory improves
20.
Learning efficiency improves
21.
Symbol coding improves
22.
Depth perception improves
23.
Flicker fusion frequency improves
Biochemical benefits of Yoga
1.
Glucose
decreases
2.
Sodium
decreases
3.
Total
cholesterol decreases
4.
Triglycerides
decrease
5.
HDL
cholesterol increases
6.
LDL
cholesterol decreases
7.
VLDL
cholesterol decreases
8.
Cholinesterase
increases
9.
Catecholamines
decrease
10.
ATPase
increases
11.
Hematocrit
increases
12.
Hemoglobin
increases
13.
Lymphocyte
count increases
14.
Total
white blood cell count decreases
15.
Thyroxin
increases
16.
Vitamin
C increases
17.
Total
serum protein increases
