Yoga can be traced back approximately 5,000 years and focuses on breathing exercises, mediation and assuming postures (poses) that stretch and strengthen various muscle groups. The purpose of yoga is to build strength, awareness and harmony in both the mind and body.
Because there are so many different kinds of yoga practices, it is possible for anyone to start a practice. Whether you are a coach potato or a professional athlete, size and fitness level does not matter. There are modifications for every yoga pose and beginner classes in every style. Yoga does not strive for perfection; the main idea is to explore your limits and become more in-tune with your body and inner self. Everyone can feel accepted and included. Unlike other sports or classes that focus on niche clients, yoga tends to be open to all, whether you are 90, 55 or 15.
If you are a beginner, hatha yoga, which focuses on basic postures at a comfortable pace would be great for you. If you want to increase strength through using more of your body’s resistance, power yoga may be right for you.
Yoga’s focus on strength and flexibility is an incredible benefit to the body. Holding the poses uses isometric muscle contractions to increase muscle strength. This means that you are putting your body into positions that need support from our muscles, ultimately leading to increases in muscular strength. Further by posing and moving, you encourage your body to go deeper into the poses, gently lengthening the muscles, ligaments and other connective tissues. Yoga allows your body to move through every range of motion, and though it may be sometimes uncomfortable, but not painful, to remain in a pose, stretching the muscles and joints while breathing allows you to move deeper into the pose.
The other physical benefits of yoga include;
· Increased flexibility
· Increased muscular endurance and tone
· Increased core strength
· Improved balance
· Improved athletic performance
· Injury prevention
· Improved cardiorespiratory health
In addition to physical benefits, yoga’s incorporation of meditation and breathing can help improve a person’s mental well-being. The relaxation techniques used in yoga can help manage chronic pain and other conditions such as low back pain, neck pain, headaches and osteoarthritis. The meditation practices help to bring awareness to the body which can help with early detection of physical problems and allow for early preventive action. Breathing techniques can also help relax the mind and reduce stress.
There are a variety of online classes available at local gyms or clubs during COVID-19 or if you are just looking to try yoga without the investment, there are numerous YouTube channels which are available for free. Here is a list of some of my personal favourites;
Yoga with Kassandra https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithkassandra
Yoga with Adriene: https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene
I advise patients who are just trying to stay fit and healthy to get a mix of both body-weight exercises (such as yoga) and workouts using weights or resistance tools. Many studies have shown that the more variety in your workout routine, the greater the overall benefit and the faster you’ll see results.
While the most important thing is to find a form of exercise you love and can see yourself doing as a lifelong habit, I encourage my patients to continually try new and different forms of exercise. If you include many types of workout techniques, you’ll continue to test and push your body in different ways, and you'll keep growing as a fitness enthusiast and as an individual.
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