Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word "yoke." It essentially means the union or joining of the infinite self with the finite self or of the spiritual and physical. Yoga was not created as a religion, but rather as a means to connect to our spiritual self. In addition to the spiritual benefits, the poses associated with yoga also have physical advantages.
Asanas
The yoga poses are also referred to as asanas. The postures are all built around exercise, meditation and breathing. In yoga, the body is treated with the utmost care and respect. In turn, the hundreds of positions associated with yoga have a variety of mental and physical health benefits. A regular practice can calm the mind, healing it from everyday stress, while building a strong body.
Mental Health
Yoga poses often require balance and mental concentration as you move through a sequence, which often consist of balancing and smooth, precise movements. Because so much concentration is required, yoga calms the body and encourages you to move the focus away from the stress and anxiety, and toward relaxing the body instead. Because yoga is a form of meditation, it can also improve your mood, help treat mental and emotional issues and lead to better focus and concentration.
Physical Health
Yoga poses strengthen the hands, feet, abdominal, lower back, shoulders and legs. The poses not only increase strength, but also improve endurance, especially in the faster moving, athletic forms like Bikram and power yoga. Because it is weight-bearing, yoga also increases bone density. The gentle stretching and breathing also improve flexibility and aid in reducing symptoms of arthritis and chronic neck and back pain.
Other Health Benefits
Yoga is often recommended for helping to lower blood pressure because the flow between positions helps circulate blood throughout the body, and the relaxed, repetitive breath slowly relaxes the body. Hatha yoga in particular is helpful for treating high blood pressure. Regular yoga practice also promotes deeper sleep and decreases fatigue during the day. Yoga may also help manage chronic health conditions such as cancer and depression.
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