What can yoga do for my health?

Regular yoga practice develops vibrant health in body and mind. In recent years, the medical profession has started to pay attention to the incredible power of yoga, both as preventative medicine and as a healing modality. What yogis have observed for thousands of years, scientists are beginning to study and quantify. Harvard University neuroscientist, Sat Bir Khalsa, is one of these pioneer scientists. With a two-and-a-half hour a day practice of Kundalini Yoga for the past 35 years, Khalsa needs no more convincing of yoga's benefits. However, it is his life mission to convince the medical community of yoga's healing power and make yoga a credible part of the health care system.

He envisages yoga as the "preferred medicine of America--prescribed by doctors and paid for by health insurance.  If we'd use yoga as regularly as our toothbrushes, he says, if schools taught it, doctors recommended it, and parents reinforced it, people would be physically and emotionally healthier." Khalsa is not the only health care professional to run studies and tests, write scholarly papers and give talks on the therapeutic potential of yoga. In the 1960's and 70's, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, master of yoga and ayurveda, funded numerous studies that demonstrated the extraordinary health benefits of yoga, particularly the practice of Transcendental Meditation. Clearly, yoga improves both physical and emotional health.

What are the health benefits of yoga?

• Enhanced cardiovascular functioning, including lower blood pressure and pulse. Better circulation for organ health and elimination of toxins.
• Improved respiratory function, including increased lung capacity and  deeper, more efficient breathing.
• Enhanced gastro-intestinal function, including improved digestion and bowel regularity. Clearing of constipation.
• Muscular-skeletal balancing, including increased range of motion in joints. Improved posture. Flexibility, tone and balance in all muscles. Reduction of back and neck pain. Easing of arthritis.
• Quality sleep promoted.
• Energy levels increased, including development of endurance, strength and stamina.
• Immunity strengthened, creating greater resistance to disease.
• Endrocrine function balanced.
• Mood lifted and sense of well-being enhanced.
• Reduction of stress. Calm and the ability to cope with challenges fostered.
• Lifting of anxiety and depression.
• Concentration and memory improved.
• Reduction of anger, fear and envy.
• Happiness, acceptance of oneself, tolerance and patience fostered.
  
  Make yoga a part of your life, and experience for yourself its incredible healing power!
  Om Shanti
  
  
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