Yoga - The Complete Mind, Body and Soul Workout

By [http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Helen_Drake/924031]Helen Drake

The Benefits of Yoga

Yoga is a wonderful form of exercise and the oldest form of exercise because it has been around for many thousands of years. When people think about yoga, they think of people getting into weird positions, with their ankles wrapped around their heads and sitting staring at candles.

Yoga combines movement, posture, balance and meditation - it's a complete workout for the mind, body and soul and can be practiced by anyone, regardless of mobility.

It energizes and strengthens and some of the benefits include: improving your strength, posture, balance and flexibility; improving your mental health; developing your personal and social values due to becoming more self-aware; achieving complete relaxation and peace of mind; helping with your sexual life; and reducing weight. It also helps with the prevention of ageing: it is said that we can halt and even prevent the ageing process if we are completely centered and that's what yoga does - it helps you to stay balanced.

Although it is not affiliated with any religion, it will guide you to your true being; to realize how this life operates and as to how you fit in this universe.

The healing benefits of yoga are so strong that you will feel better at the end of each session. It is known for controlling your bodily functions - blood pressure, body temperature, metabolism, heart rate, etc. It's also know for healing a multitude of ailments including: indigestion, constipation, asthma, insomnia, hypertension, heart disorders, cancer, bronchitis, menstrual problems, sinus problems and obesity. Because it's also working on the mind and soul, you're basically doing a workout on your entire being.

There are approximately 84 yoga poses, but the beginner will start off with the simpler ones and can gradually proceed to the more difficult ones. Everyone is different and has different physical abilities, so you do what is comfortable for you. Less is more and as you become more flexible, you can work your way through to the difficult poses.

Yoga can also be beneficial to those with disabilities or chronic illnesses as each pose can be adapted to suit the individual student. There are also yoga poses for those who are in wheelchairs, however, there are points to remember if you are disabled: consult with your doctor before beginning this or any other type of fitness program, always have someone else present and stretch yourself only to the point where you feel mild tension and never pain. Regardless of your physical ability though, a yoga teacher will always tell students not to push themselves beyond their limits.

Laughter Yoga

Laughter Yoga is a relatively new concept which was developed in the 1990s. It combines yoga breathing techniques with... you got it, laughter. I tried one of these sessions recently and it was hilarious. It works on the premise that your body cannot differentiate between pretend and real laughter, therefore, even when it's forced laughter, your mind and body experience the same benefits as they would from genuine laughter i.e. strengthens the immune system, boosts your energy, diminishes pain and protects you from the harmful effects of stress.

If you haven't tried yoga yet, then it's definitely worth looking into. Check around your local neighborhood - the gyms, yoga centers or even your local community center. Try one or both of these forms of yoga and see which you prefer - you may even want to do both! Either will leave you feeling so much lighter, healthier and happier.

If you are financially able, then you may also want to consider going on a yoga retreat. There are retreats available for the absolute beginner through to the experienced student. Some of them also offer teacher training classes. These retreats are becoming increasingly popular and available in tranquil settings, throughout the United States and in many exotic locations overseas. If thinking about a retreat, you may want to speak to a local teacher and ask if there are any that they would recommend.

[http://www.bwellmag.com]  Responsible for all editorial content - research, writing, proofreading and editing. This is a magazine aimed at all health professionals - doctors, dentists, chiropractors, etc. As a certified Reiki Master, my articles tend to lean towards preventative measures; healthy eating; healthy lifestyle; alternative therapies and natural healing.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Yoga---The-Complete-Mind,-Body-and-Soul-Workout&id=6369085] Yoga - The Complete Mind, Body and Soul Workout