What Are The Health Benefits Of Yoga Poses?

While yoga has roots in Indian spirituality, it can provide many health benefits. In addition to improving general physical strength, yoga poses may relieve stress, back pain and other aliments. Researchers don't fully understand yoga's effects, says the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, but evidence suggests yoga positively impacts mind and body.

Background

Medical authorities classify yoga as a type of complementary and alternative medicine. Widely-practiced Hatha yoga includes poses called asanas along with breath-work. Hatha yoga takes many forms including Iyengar, Ashtanga, Kundalini and Bikram. Each modality is different; some focus on physical, spiritual or mental development more than others. According to the National Health Interview Survey, about one in twenty adults practice yoga for health reasons.

Mental Health

Practicing yoga poses regularly may improve anxiety, depression or insomnia. The Mayo Clinic, for instance, suggests yoga leads to relaxation and a positive mood. Yoga affects your mind-body connection, and this state of "mindfulness" may lead to better mental health. A study published in "Psychosomatic Medicine" found women who practiced Hatha yoga for at least two years had lower stress chemicals and heart rates than women who just started practicing yoga. Yoga helped each group's mood.

Back

If you suffer from lower back pain, Iyengar yoga poses may he helpful. Developed by B.K.S. Iyengar, this form of yoga uses support blocks and other tools to stabilize your body during poses. West Virginia University researchers compared back pain sufferers who practiced Iyengar yoga to those who received traditional medical treatment only. The yoga practitioners reported less pain and suffering.

Overall Fitness

Yoga ranges from gentle sitting and standing poses to challenging moving sequences. Whether you're leaning into a seated forward bend or balancing in half moon pose, you're improving your flexibility, balance and core strength. According to MayoClinic.com, yoga poses can help you lose weight, gain mobility and prevent injury.

Considerations

You can learn yoga from classes, books or DVDs. If you're a beginner, practicing yoga in a class setting may help you understand proper yoga postures and techniques better than personal trial and error. Yoga poses are safe for most people, but proper form is critical to avoid injury. Consult your physician to make sure yoga is right for you, particularly if you have spine, blood pressure, vision, circulatory or joint problems.