The Benefits Of Yoga!

Yoga has become very popular over the last decade. Why are so many people doing it? What are the benefits and what is the commitment?

Yoga has become very popular over the last decade. Actors, athletes, politicians and moms are doing it. If fact, there is no firm demographic of people who are devoted to yoga, it runs the gamut. Why are so many people doing it? What are the benefits and what is the commitment? Can it replace strength or cardiovascular training?

Simply put, yoga is excellent for your physical and psychological being. Below is a list of some of the most common benefits gleaned from practicing yoga on a regular basis.

Improved muscle tone, flexibility, strength and stamina

Reduce stress, tension and blood pressure

Boost self-esteem

Improves concentration and creativity

Decreases stored fat

Improves circulation

Improves digestion

Stimulates the immune system

Improves balance

Improves mind/body connection

Improves posture

Improves agility

Yoga helps create a sense of well-being and calm

Developed in India 5000 years ago and brought to the United States in the early 20th Century, yoga has proven itself over time. Yoga is a holistic therapy that is beneficial to the whole being.

It's not just a "Band-aid" meant to relieve an illness or cover pain. Yoga seeks to create balance between the mind, body and spirit, which allows the natural healing process to occur. Yoga is beneficial in preventing and eliminating some problems.

Yoga involves holding postures, which improves balance, strength and stamina. Many of these postures help to improve circulation, digestion, balance, flexibility and agility. The process of holding certain postures can be difficult and requires a great deal of strength, balance and concentration.

WHAT IS YOGA?

It's a type of meditation. If a person is focusing intensely on something they are not usually bothered by other thoughts intruding in their mind. This is how concentration and the mind/body connection improve.

Because these postures take a great deal of strength and stamina, muscles become more tone and develop a greater tolerance for endurance. The back, arms, legs, abs, practically every muscle in the body can achieve a good intense work out (with certain types of yoga). It's not uncommon for participants to be soaked in sweat after an hour-long class.

Yoga helps teach proper breathing (the most important element of yoga) and alignment of the body. The focus is on balance. The body should be in balance physically, from front to back and side to side. Breathing should come from the diaphragm (which can be noticed by the stomach expanding and contracting instead of the rib cage).

With proper breathing the body receives more oxygen, a person feels better and the immune system in improved. With proper posture, proper breathing and stronger muscles a person will stand up straight walk straight and enter a room with greater self-esteem and confidence.

Yoga comes in many forms. There are at least 27 different types practiced in the United States ranging from slow easy stretches with meditative breathing and guided imagery to intense sweat producing postures held for many minutes in a 105-degree room.

To achieve the maximum benefits of yoga a person should practice as much as possible - every day of the week would not be too much. Although, a person can feel more relaxed and limber after just one session the more it is practiced, the better they will feel and the longer the benefits will last.

CONCLUSION

There are many staunch disbelievers that say yoga cannot have any medical benefits. But even the most skeptical usually agree that although it may not help, it at least should do no harm (when done correctly).

The most common reason people begin a yoga program is to relieve stress and back pain, and within a few sessions they usually feel better.

All-and-all yoga is very beneficial to the whole person and part of a regular exercise program. It is not a stand-alone cure-all. But like juice, toast and milk with breakfast cereal, yoga compliments other fitness programs beautifully.

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10 Super Foods For Weight Loss

Eat your way to a fabulous, slim figure - The statement sounds ironical, but it is true. Selected foods items in your kitchen help maintain a steady weight in addition to fulfilling the body's nutritional requirements. Here's a list of super foods for guaranteed, safe weight loss.

Grapefruit:

Grapefruit has been the focus of many weight loss studies. It was observed that persons who ate half a grapefruit before meals lost 3.6 pounds in 12 weeks. Grapefruit has an ample amount of fibre and proteins but very few calories. It prevents fat build up by interfering with insulin synthesis in the body. Grapefruit lowers insulin (responsible for the formation of fatty deposits) in the blood. Because of this, it is also known to reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes. Grapefruits are also rich in water.

Apple:

The practice of eating an apple before meals controls your calorie intakes at every meal. The fibre in apples takes longer to digest and thus keeps you full. The fat fighting antioxidants in apples will also help to get rid of belly fat.

Oats:

A bowl of oats for breakfast could be one of the best weight loss tips. Oats abound in dietary fibre. It keeps you feeling full. It enhances body metabolism and speeds up fat burning.

Avocados:

Not all fats cause weight gain. Avocados supply the body with healthy fat. Its rich fibre content creates a feeling of fullness. The compound Oleic acid in avocados discourages hunger.

Salmon:

The omega-3 fatty acids present in salmon make it an effective weight loss tool. Omega-3 fatty acids are healthy fats. These fats rev up metabolism and help the body to burn larger quantities of stored fat. Also, salmon servings provide lean protein without adding calories.

Black Beans:

A cup of black beans makes up half of the body's daily requirement for fibre. Also, it adds around 15g of proteins. Protein and fibre make a very good combination. They keep you satiated for a longer period of time.

Green Tea:

Among the beverages, green tea is the most beneficial when it comes to weight loss. Green tea contains a compound called polyphenols. Polyphenols help to get rid of triglycerides in the body. It also boosts endurance and stamina.

Blueberries

Tiny though they are, blueberries are then loaded with antioxidants especially fat-cell fighting antioxidants. Blueberries prevent fatty build up in fat cells. A small cup of blueberries supplies the body 4g of fibre and only 80 calories. In the berry family, raspberries and Acai berries are also touted as super foods for weight loss.

Pears:

Pears contain 5g of dietary fibre that is 15% of the recommended daily intake. Pears should be eaten with the skin as the skin contains most of the fibre the fruit boasts of. Other benefits include lowered risk of a stroke.

Eggs:

Sounds surprising we know, but as a matter of fact eggs also feature in our list of diet weight loss tips. Eggs are packed with proteins that curb your appetite and keep a tab on your calorie intake. 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Mohd_Hairul_Hisham/1663984

Apple Image Courtesy of RK008 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Salmon Image courtesy of Tiramisustudio at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Blueberries Image courtesy of Supitchamcadam at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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