Benefits Of Yoga

Yoga is the physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines which originated in ancient India with a view to attain a state of permanent peace of mind in order to experience one's true self. The term yoga can be derived from either of two roots, yujir yoga (to yoke) or yuj samādhau (to concentrate). The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali defines yoga as "the stilling of the changing states of the mind". Yoga has also been popularly defined as "union with the divine" in other contexts and traditions.

To know more about yoga, how to start a yoga and tips...

And you can start searching on youtube for video samples.


Physiological Benefits of Yoga


Stable autonomic nervous system equilibrium
Pulse rate decreases
Respiratory rate decreases
Blood Pressure decreases (of special significance for hyporeactors)
Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) increases
EEG - alpha waves increase (theta, delta, and beta waves also increase during various stages of meditation)
EMG activity decreases
Cardiovascular efficiency increases
Respiratory efficiency increases
Gastrointestinal function normalizes
Endocrine function normalizes
Excretory functions improve
Musculoskeletal flexibility and joint range of motion increase
Breath-holding time increases
Joint range of motion increase
Grip strength increases
Eye-hand coordination improves
Dexterity skills improve
Reaction time improves
Posture improves
Strength and resiliency increase
Endurance increases
Energy level increases
Weight normalizes
Sleep improves
Immunity increases
Pain decreases
Steadiness improves
Depth perception improves
Balance improves
Integrated functioning of body parts improves


Psychological Benefits of Yoga

Somatic and kinesthetic awareness increase
Mood improves and subjective well-being increases
Self-acceptance and self-actualization increase
Social adjustment increases
Anxiety and Depression decrease
Hostility decreases
Concentration improves
Memory improves
Attention improves
Learning efficiency improves
Mood improves
Self-actualization increase
Social skills increases
Well-being increases
Somatic and kinesthetic awareness increase
Self-acceptance increase
Attention improves
Concentration improves
Memory improves
Learning efficiency improves
Symbol coding improves
Depth perception improves
Flicker fusion frequency improves


Biochemical Benefits of Yoga

Glucose decreases
Sodium decreases
Total cholesterol decreases
Triglycerides decrease
HDL cholesterol increases
LDL cholesterol decreases
VLDL cholesterol decreases
Cholinesterase increases
Catecholamines decrease
ATPase increases
Hematocrit increases
Hemoglobin increases
Lymphocyte count increases
Total white blood cell count decreases
Thyroxin increases
Vitamin C increases
Total serum protein increases


Yoga Health Benefits versus Exercise Benefits

Yoga Benefits

     Parasympathetic Nervous System dominates
     Subcortical regions of brain dominate
     Slow dynamic and static movements
     Normalization of muscle tone
     Low risk of injuring muscles and ligaments
     Low caloric consumption
     Effort is minimized, relaxed
     Energizing (breathing is natural or controlled)
     Balanced activity of opposing muscle groups
     Noncompetitive, process-oriented
     Awareness is internal (focus is on breath and the infinite)
     Limitless possibilities for growth in self-awareness

Exercise Benefits

     Sympathetic Nervous System dominates
     Cortical regions of brain dominate
     Rapid forceful movements
     Increased muscle tension
     Higher risk of injury
     Moderate to high caloric consumption
     Effort is maximized
     Fatiguing (breathing is taxed)
     Imbalance activity of opposing groups
     Competitive, goal-oriented
     Awareness is external (focus is on reaching the toes, reaching the finish line, etc.)

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