OH, YOGA!

    I started learning yoga about two years ago. Unfortunately I wasn't very consistent due to my travel schedule and then the yoga moving to a different location that I didn't like. Finally, after joining the YMCA, I started going once in a while, in addition to other classes and cardio. A few more interruptions of skin cancer surgery (stitches in 3 different places), prohibited me from working out and then in June of this year I was involved in a car accident. Unfortunately this only compounded everything. The accident exacerbated my injuries. I started going regularly to the chiropractor and added massage therapy. Never quit feeling right. Well, not to languish, I'm getting back into yoga.

    I attended a hatha yoga class today at YogaMatrix Studio in the Dr. Phillips are (if you live in Central Florida, you'll know). I spoke with the owner and head instructor (Edely) on the phone a few days before my class. I could tell she was/is very experienced. She's been practicing yoga for more than 20 years, she didnt even want to be a teacher. but she is phenomenal. Her classes are full, men and women of various ages give up a few hours on a saturday morning to breath and stretch their way to health and happiness. I could write for a while on the various classes she offers and the benefits, but I just wanted to share a few things in this blog and will have more on yoga.

    Top 10 Reasons to Try Yoga (from yogamatrixstudio)

1. Stress Relief - reduces the physical effects of stress on the body by encouraging relaxation and lowering the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Related benefits include: lowering blood pressure and heart rate, improving digestion and boosting the immune system as well as  easing symptoms of conditions such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, asthma and insomnia.

2. Pain Relief - yoga can ease pain. Studies have demonstrated that practicing yoga asanas (postures), meditation or a combination, reduced pain for people with conditions such as cancer, m.s., auto-immune diseases and hypertension as well as arthritis, back and neck pain and other chronic conditions.

3. Better Breathing - teaches people to take slower, deeper breaths. It improves lung function and triggers body's relaxation response.

4. Flexibility - helps improve flexibility and mobility, increasing range of motion and reducing aches and pains. 

5. Increased Strength - yoga asanas uses every muscle in the body, helping to increase strength literally from head to toe. Yoga also helps to relieve muscular tension.

6. Weight management - can aid in weight control efforts by reducing the cortisol levels as well as by burning calories Yoga also encourage healthy eating habits and provides a heightened sense of well being and self esteem.

7. Improved Circulation - improves circulation and as a result of various poses, more efficiently move oxygenated blood to the body's cells.

8. Cardiovascular Conditioning - even gentle yoga practice can provide cardiovascular benefits by lowering resting heart rate, increasing endurance and improving oxygen intake.

9. Better Body Alignment - helps to improve alignment, helping relieve back, neck, joint and muscle problems. 

10. Focus on the Present - helps to focus on the present, to become more aware and to help created mind-body health. I opens the way to improved coordination, reaction time ad memory.