Benefits of Yoga

How do you eat an elephant?

One spoonful at a time.

How are you successful at the "A Better Me" Challenge?

By making small, steady improvements and decisions one at a time.

I know I need to move more. But where to begin? Walk the dogs? Join a gym? Well, the first thing I'm going to do is prepare for a yoga class that is taught once per week at the office. It's convenient. It's fun. And I will have the support of coworkers to continue. My class begins January 20. Have you ever considered yoga?

Physiological Benefits of Yoga 

Stable autonomic nervous system equilibrium

Pulse rate decreases

Respiratory rate decreases

Blood Pressure decreases

EMG activity decreases

Cardiovascular efficiency increases

Respiratory efficiency increases

Gastrointestinal function normalizes

Endocrine function normalizes

Excretory functions improve

Musculoskeletal flexibility and joint range of motion increases

Breath-holding time increases

Joint range of motion increase

Grip strength increases

Eye-hand coordination improves

Dexterity skills improve

Reaction time improves

Posture improves

Strength and resiliency increase

Endurance increases

Energy level increases

Weight normalizes

Sleep improves

Immunity increases

Pain decreases

Steadiness improves

Depth perception improves

Balance improves

Integrated functioning of body parts improves

　

Psychological Benefits of Yoga

Somatic and kinesthetic awareness increase

Mood improves and subjective well-being increases

Self-acceptance and self-actualization increase

Social adjustment increases

Anxiety and Depression decreases

Hostility decreases

Concentration improves

Memory improves

Attention improves

Learning efficiency improves

Mood improves

Self-actualization increase

Social skills increases

Well-being increases

Somatic and kinesthetic awareness increase

Self-acceptance increase

Attention improves

Concentration improves

Memory improves

Learning efficiency improves

Symbol coding improves

Depth perception improves

Flicker fusion frequency improves

　

Biochemical Benefits of Yoga

Glucose decreases

Sodium decreases

Total cholesterol decreases

Triglycerides decrease

HDL cholesterol increases

LDL cholesterol decreases

VLDL cholesterol decreases

Cholinesterase increases

Hemoglobin increases

Lymphocyte count increases

Total white blood cell count decreases

Thyroxin increases

Vitamin C increases

Total serum protein increases

It may not be all the exercise I need, but it is a start.