WHAT are the benefits of doing YOGA?

[berrones28]

I mean, w/ all the stress in my life as of late, and me not dealing so hot w/ it, I know it would really be a good stress reducer, but what about for the body, physically?
Just curious if ANYONE knows or have been into doing Yoga?
ansley

[Deltha]

Below is something I found on line...I do yoga from time to time...and when I do, I always feel more relaxed and tranquil-physically and emotionally...I also feel taller, leaner and more graceful...I don't know why exactly. I guess its the moves and how you do them...

The benefits of Yoga:

General:
Practice of yoga bestows upon the Practitioner: a firm body, steady mind, and a benevolent spirit.

Physical:

Strength - yoga postures (asanas) tone every part of the body.
Endurance - regular dedicated practice increases the capacity to do work.
Flexibility - a youthful ease is maintained or reestablished through correct stretching
Posture - as tone and flexibility are balanced, an erect and effortless posture is achieved .
Tremendous energy - improved glandular functioning and deep relaxation leaves one refreshed.
Health - a consistent and positive state of well being is experienced when the body and mind are balanced.
Mental:

Concentration - penetration of the yoga postures (asanas) deepens and extends concentration.
Emotional stability - contact with the one's Self give perspective to life and insulates the mind from disturbances.
Peace - stillness in the body, tolerance in the mind and absorption in the Self generates an abiding state of peace and tranquility.
Spiritual:

Wisdom - persistent alert practice develops knowledge that flowers as wisdom.
Freedom - physical health, mental equanimity and wisdom lead to the experience of freedom in daily life.
Integration - regular exploration and connecting of our physical, mental and intellectual layers leads to a state of integrated harmony.

[Wicca]

I do yoga pretty regularly and I've found that it helps with:
* Balance
* Flexibility
* Muscle Control
* Relaxation
* Easing tense muscles (especially after tae-bo)

There are lots of other things too and depending on the form of yoga you do (whether it is a "relaxation" yoga or a "sculpting" type of yoga) it can be great for building muscle and definition

I know Princess Grace does this Bikram yoga...it's 1.5 hours long of intense poses in a room that is 101 degrees

I'm currently reading a book titled "Healing Yoga" wich discusses all the ways it helps the body. Like one pose is supposed to compact the internal organs and release toxins and then wash them in fresh blood after you release the pose (I know kinds gross...but I thought it was pretty cool too )

I checked the book out from my library and it's pretty good so far and has lots of detailed poses to try too. It talks about integrating the mind body and spirit with yoga...I'm still workin on that part...my mind is usually screaming "How much longer do I have to hold this freakin' pose"

One thing to definately remember is it is all in the concentration and breathing One of the reasons yoga looks so "easy" as in people who say "It's just stretching...not real exercise". Well you are supposed to not tense up and control your movements with breath and muscle control so it makes it look easy. Beleive me though some of those moves are a serious workout.

I kind of rambled but if you have any questions let me know

[FocusedOnFitness]

One word: Madonna. After years of struggling with her weight, yoga was the last stop for her. The muscular body she now flaunts is all due to yoga.

I just started it and cannot believe how much soreness I have after I'm done. Holding yourself in downward facing dog or the plank pose is harder to me than actually doing push-ups!

[Wicca]

LMAO @ Emma...I was going to mention Plank but didn't. Who'd have thought that holding yourself in the top of a push up would be so damn hard

I have one tape that goes from Downward dog (think going from a push-up and pushing butt up in the air...while keeping heels on the ground and shoulders away from ears) to plank and back to DG and then has you lift one leg while in plank...lift other leg...back to DG...repeat and the whole time I'm thinking I MUST be but afterward I feel so refreshed and loose and sore the next day too

The book I'm reading has some of those really crazy pretzle poses not to mention just plain poses. I've tried a couple and think that maybe with time I could do some of the harder stuff...but dang they are some tuffies in there.

Ashley Judd and Natalie Maines (lead Dixie Chick whose lost a lot of weight) also does only Yoga

I think Hollywood is on fire with the Bikram stuff that Sarah does.

[berrones28]

hey...thanks for the info! I will definitely start getting some readin in on the Yoga scene, and trying a few videos that I have seen in the stores!
Thanks again!!!!
I hope this helps, and I think I will get my hubbys skinny butt in on this too! He just needs help w/ stress and flexibility!
THANKS!
ansley

[Wicca]

Hi Ansley

I have a skinny-azzed hubby too And can't get him to work out with me to save his life but he does do yoga and stretching with me pretty frequently and told me last week he wants to do it more often

There are many varieties in Yoga (in difficulty, in instructor, in relaxation, etc). Instead of buying vids you may want to either check them out from your local library or Blockbuster to see which ones/types are for you. A couple I would recommend for starters...

Power Yoga: Denise Austin
Yoga Fushion: (don't know who does it but this is a strenth building one)
AM/PM Yoga: This has 3 different instructors. I really like Rodney Yee but there is a chic on there I can't stand)
Strenght & Grace: By Minna Lessig...another strength building one.
Anything by Karen Voight She's awesome...she does both a relaxation/flexibility one and a yoga sculpt one on her "Sleek Physique" dvd.

Experiment and see what style you like best and then go buy some

Good luck and let us know how you like it

[stacygirlvo]

I loved the concept of yoga when I was not overweight. I was trying it weekly for a month or two while overweight and man-o-man did my back hurt!! And it went away when I stopped going.

I'm a big fan of stretching everyday, but for me anyway, yoga is too taxing on my bigger body.