Yoga Therapy Can Increase Your Spiritual And Physical Health

By Diana Smith

People who do not practice yoga may think yoga is just stretching, but it is much more. Yoga therapy in particular aims to bring balance to the energy in the mind and body. This is accomplished by movement and mediation.

Yoga is a personal practice. Even if you are a part of a class, it is essential to make note of your body and your intentions. Avoid competition with other students, and instead work with a yoga teacher or individual yoga therapist so that each pose can be modified to meet your limitations. You may have had a neck injury. When this is the case, inverted poses, like the plow, must be avoided. Yoga therapy allows you to make changes to any pose to not jeopardize your body. No matter your physical fitness level, a yoga practice will offer both mental and emotional benefits, as long as it is tailored to your specific needs.

Many people enter a yoga class thinking that it will be easy. Yoga is like ballet. You cannot walk into a class and expect to do it well right from the start. Those who have practiced for years are still perfecting the art. There is always room for advancement.

On certain days, one yoga pose is more difficult than another. This can be from a variety of reasons. One day you may be more balanced. Another day you may find yourself more flexible. Each situation of the body should be accepted and not judged. Yoga therapy also helps you work with any physical limitations, to get the most out of your yoga practice.

Yogic philosophy is focused on joining the body to the spirit. This is done through balancing the energy within the body. There are seven chakras. Each is centered along the spine. The energy of the chakras is tied to the health of the body. If the thyroid is troubled, there may be an issue with the throat chakra.

Spiritual health is tied to physical well-being in yoga. The movements can create many positive outcomes in the body. Therefore, yoga therapy and practice are highly regarded by medical practitioners.

Yoga focuses on safe stretching, which improves flexibility. Elasticity is not only increased in the muscles but also in the soft tissue. Each person must work within his own limitations for flexibility, and over time, those who perform yoga will find advances in flexibility. The increased ability to move can relieve muscle pain from stiffness. Some have experienced more energy as well!

With each movement, you will not only improve flexibility but strength. Some yoga practices are more focused on building muscle mass. These methods will add certain poses to the routine. Each one has the intent to decrease weakness. For example, downward dog improves arm and back muscles. All classes, however, do offer a gain in strength even if this is not the main objective.

Our posture is important to overall health. The back and abdominal muscles support the internal organs in our core. Good posture helps to give the organs the room for normal functioning. Yoga can improve posture through strength and flexibility exercises. A healthy posture can bring life to people of all ages.

Our lives are full of stress and tension. Dealing with these in a healthy manner is essential for preventing diseases and improving overall well-being. Yoga therapy focuses on maintain spiritual and physical health by focusing on the body and the mind. Through research, you can find a class that meets your needs. Not every yoga class is the same, and exploration is essential to find the perfect fit. You might also find it useful to practice yoga at home with a DVD for yoga for beginners. - 29881

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