In today’s fast paced world, people of all ages are experiencing more and more stress. Along with stress comes a host of physical and emotional ailments. Sore necks, digestive troubles, headaches, sleepless nights, anger issues, and depression are but a few. Yoga helps people to overcome many stress related problems and feel better in many ways.
What is it about yoga that can bring wide ranging benefits? As with exercise, the movements of yoga result in a healthier body. And as with meditation, yoga can focus the mind and bring emotional resilience. The manner in which movements are performed in yoga is more important than the specific positions achieved. Moving with an attitude of awareness and acceptance helps to re-connect the body and mind. Being a form of body-mind integration is a significant factor in yoga’s preventing and lessening many stress
related illnesses.
The stress relieving benefits of yoga are available to people of all ages, body types and abilities because perfecting a position, called a “posture,” in yoga is not the desired result. Several thousands of years ago, early yogis (i.e.: practitioners of yoga) desired unification and wholeness, not athletic experiences. The joining of the body and mind as one fosters the positive outcomes.
Modern science now validates that the time tested techniques of yoga create healthier and
happier people and are an effective antidote for stress.
Submitted by:
Sally A Barber MS, Certified Amrit Yoga Instructor, Advanced Level, Co owner of the Westfield Yoga Center
