This morning I had the opportunity to speak to the advanced health class at Waubonsie Valley High School. My assignment was to address the health benefits of yoga and then provide a brief practice so that they students could begin to experience it for themselves. It might sound strange to think that one brief class could make a difference but it can! Of course, regular practice makes even more of a difference but these students….and YOU, could begin to feel the benefits of yoga from the very first class.
So, I came up with a list of twenty health benefits of yoga. It was easy, I didn’t even have to try hard. Then I had the students make their own list and we compared. They thought of a few that I had missed…..and I had many they needed some hints for but together we increased the list to TWENTY-TWO!! So, here they are, twenty-two reasons to do yoga…..do you have any to add?
Twenty-two (yes, twenty-two) Health Benefits from Yoga
1. Increased Flexibility
2. Increased Strength (upper body and core especially!)
3. Better Posture
4. Deeper Breathing (less asthma and other lung related issues)
5. Stress Relief
6. Lowers Blood Pressure (lower risk of heart disease)
7. Slows Heart Rate (lower risk of heart disease)
8. Lowers Cholesterol (lower risk of heart disease)
9. Boosts Immune System
10. Eases Migraines
11. Decreases Insomnia, Better Sleep
12. Decrease Risk of Obesity, Lowers Food Cravings
13. Increased Concentration, Longer Attention Span
14. Lowers Risk of Depression, Increases GABA in Brain
15. Lowers Risk of Diabetes, Lowers Blood Sugar
16. Decreases Back Pain
17. Increases Nerve Impulses, Think Faster, React More Quickly
18. Increase Bone Health, Weight Bearing Exercise
19. Increased Coping Skills
20. Better Urinary Health (boosts sexual health too!) (can you say mula bandha?)
21. Better Balance
22. Increased Energy