The Health Benefits of Yoga

I never understood the health benefits of yoga, until I went to a class.

I have always been quite flexible (or so I thought). I had broken a rib and was wandering about the house moaning about my pain. My daughter suggested a hot yoga class. My thoughts were “okay, I will learn a couple of new stretches and incorporate them into my workout routines”.

I went to a hot yoga class and “WOW” was I in for a surprise.

The room was heated to about 100 degrees (Fahrenheit). The class was just over an hour long and involved two sets of approximately 24yoga poses.

Every joint in the body was gently manipulated.

Every muscle in my body underwent a gentle strain and stretch.

I lost approximately 2 ½ pounds in one class!

I know go to 2 or 3 classes a week and have been going for about two years. Here are some of the health benefits that I have experienced.

my back and buttocks have never been stronger.

I feel limber and graceful when I walk.

My lower back pain is diminished.

My neck and shoulders are relaxed. I feel taller.

I can focus easier.

I can cope with pain and frustration easier.

Yoga is becoming more popular with athletes. Here is a gallery to an NFL athlete that does Bikram Yoga. This is amazing.

Here is the first posture of a Bikram Yoga series.

Some Common Yoga postures:

Standing Deep Breathing; Pranayama Series

Half Moon Pose with Hands To Feet Pose; Ardha Chandrasana with Pada-Hastasana

Awkward Pose ; Utkatasana

Eagle Pose; Garudasana

Standing Head To Knee Pose; Dandayamana - Janushirasana

Standing Bow Pulling Pose; Dandayamana - Dhanurasana

Balancing Stick Pose; Tuladandasana

Standing Separate Leg Stretching Pose; Dandayamana - Bibhaktapada Paschimottanasana

Triangle Pose; Trikanasana

Standing Separate Leg Head To Knee Pose; Dandayamana - Bibhaktapada Janushirasana

Tree Pose ; Tadasana

Toe Stand Pose; Padangustasana

Dead Body Pose ; Savasana

Wind Removing Pose; Pavanamuktasana

Cobra Pose; Bhujangasana

Locust Pose; Salabhasana

Full Locust Pose; Pooma Salabhasana

Bow Pose; Dhanurasana

Fixed Firm Pose; Supta - Vajrasana

Half Tortoise Pose ; Ardha - Kurmasana

Camel Pose; Ustrasana

Rabbit Pose ; Sasangasana

Head To Knee with Stretching Pose; Janursirasana with Paschimottanasana

Spine Twisting Pose; Ardha - Matsyendrasana

Blowing In Firm; Khapalbhati

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