Benefits
The word yoga in Sanskrit means "union" because the focus of yoga is to unite the physical body, mind and spirit.
This balance allows one to fully embody the present moment with a greater sense of awareness and ease. Cultivating a greater sense of awareness, by means of the yoga practice, will lead one to inner peace, no matter the complexities of the outside world. Yoga also cultivates prana, or life force energy. The proper practice of yoga will undeniably generate more prana, or energy, within the body. This is the reason why we feel so rejuvenated and uplifted after our practice. By receiving positive energy from yoga, we in turn feel that we have more life in us to help us embark on our path with a greater sense of ease, focus and clarity.
Yoga has been practiced for over 5,000 years and currently over 11 million Americans are enjoying the many benefits that this practice has to offer, which include (but are certainly not limited to):
Increases strength and flexibility
Alleviates many chronic physical and mental conditions and diseases
Improves balance, coordination and kinesthetic awareness
Improves stress management skills and helps to alleviate stress
Improves cardiovascular and circulatory health
Enhances posture which can alleviate chronic pain in spine and extremities
Massages body organs which detoxifies the entire system
Calms the mind and improves concentration
Increases the amount of synovial fluid which lubricates joints to alleviate joint pain, back pain and arthritis
Increases lung capacity which helps to improve respiratory problems, such as asthma
Words fail to convey the total value of yoga. It has to be experienced.
~ B. K. S. Iyengar ~