Yoga - A Wellness Way Of Life

Womens health wellness is all about... Getting Your ‘Down Dog’ On!

They say developing a yoga practice is key to a wellness way of life.

Personally, starting a Yoga practice was a New Years resolution I made for years….. but never followed through.  Although I worked out regularly at the gym, I found it challenging to incorporate yoga into my already very busy schedule.  Then two years ago, I finally made the commitment at a local yoga studio.  I was completely hooked after that first class and now have a dedicated practice.  I’d' read' about the benefits of yoga for years as a means to develop physical and emotional wellness and spiritual wellness.   Intellectually I knew yoga was an important ingredient to womens health wellness.  But knowing something and doing it are very different.  This was my motivation to commit to a yoga practice.  To actually 'experience' these wonderful benefits, instead of just 'reading' about them.   And now I can honestly agree that yoga is defiantly a wellness way of life.  Experiencing the benefits of yoga has been truly amazing and life changing. 

Yoga is a practice that has been around for more than 5000 years with close to 11 million Americans enjoying its healthful benefits.  Yoga aims to unit the mind, body and spirit through movement, breath and holding postures.  The relationship of the mind body connection becomes fully alive and experienced through yoga.  Yoga is an ‘inside job’ that results in real transformation.

In the 21st century many people have gravitated toward yoga to help maintain the constant stress that plagues us.  One of the answers to how to reduce stress is yoga.   Managing stress may be the initial motivation to your first ‘down dog’ (a yoga position), but here are some other benefits you will enjoy by developing a Yoga practice as a wellness way of life.

Physiological Benefits of Yoga

* Stable autonomic nervous system equilibrium
* Pulse rate decreases
* Respiratory rate decreases
* Blood Pressure decreases
* Cardiovascular efficiency increases
* Respiratory efficiency increases
* Gastrointestinal function normalizes
* Endocrine function normalizes
* Breath-holding time increases
* Joint range of motion increase
* 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
* Balance improves

Psychological Benefits of Yoga

* awareness increases
* Mood improves and subjective well-being increases
* Self-acceptance and self-actualization increase
* Social adjustment increases
* Anxiety and Depression decrease
* Hostility decreases
* Concentration improves
* Memory improves
* Attention improves
* Learning efficiency improves
* Social skills increases

Living well and having youthful health is what we all want.  Don’t put off starting a yoga practice like I did for years.  Trust me - the time is there.  Just make the commitment to start your wellness way of life today.   And once you begin to feel the quality of your physical and emotional body improve you will never want to stop!  There are many different types and styles of yoga.  Start looking for the practice that best suits you now!  Participating in yoga as a means for womens health wellness will result in a more energetic, stronger, confident, happier and peaceful you!

Editors Note:  If you would like to see how this relates to your overall womens health wellness, please check out our articles on carbohydrate sensitivity and glycemic index.