How Yoga Can Help Your Short &

Long Term

Health

Many people think about the short-term benefits of exercise when they start a new regime: we want to lose weight, look better, feel fit. Yoga can help all those goals, but it also can have long term effects on your health.

Ward Off Back Pain

Back pain is a major complaint for many Australians, especially as we get older. Yoga classes helps improve muscle strength, flexibility and the suppleness of spinal disks. The movement of your joints in yoga also prevents cartilage to become worn out, which improves the movement and health of joints in the future. A NCAM funded study in 2011 found that yoga was far more effective than self-care in treating adults with chronic back pain.

Ward Off Heart

Attacks

There are many studies that suggests that yoga can seriously improve the health of your heart. One indicator of heart health, heart rate viability or HRV has been tested, with a medical study revealing that regular practitioners have higher HRV – a sign of healthier heart. A British medical journal, The Lancet, revealing that Savasana (corpse pose) as opposed to lying on the couch could reduce systolic blood pressure.

Be Happier,

Stay Stress-

Free

Those who practice yoga can expect an increase in their feelings of happiness and well-being according to many medical studies. Yoga has been proved to lower cortisol levels when chronically high can damage memory and lead to depression and high blood pressure. A Harvard study of mental health also found that yoga could help people struggling with anxiety or depressive symptoms. Regular yoga practice with a qualified instructor can have these benefits and many more.

Image Sources Slide 1 5 Powerful Reasons Yoga Beyond Flexibility Slide 2 Yoga Nidra Images Slide 3-4 Progressive Spine Slide 5-6 Yoga Photography Collection at KTM & Graffiti Wall, Kuala Lumpur Slide 7-8 Could Yoga Increase Your Happiness? Slide 10

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