Special thanks to: www.aurawellnesscenter.com.
By Gopi Rao
Yoga can be an important part of healing yourself, both physically and emotionally. There are a wide range of benefits to practicing this ancient form of exercise on a regular basis. While millions of practitioners can attest to the advantages, there are now quite a few scientific studies that back this up as well. Let’s look at some of the ways that yoga can accelerate many types of healing.
Helps Reduce Stress
One of the most important benefits of yoga is its ability to reduce stress. This is one of the reasons so many modern people with hectic lives embrace it. Stress reduction is not only crucial for functioning well in everyday life, it can also help to prevent conditions such as anxiety and depression. A 2012 study at UCLA, for example, showed that doing a brief yogic meditation reduced stress in people who were caregivers for Alzheimer’s patients. Researchers determined that this practice contributed to reduced levels if inflammation in the bodies of those who participated. Inflammation is associated not only with stress, but also with the overall strength of the immune system.
Eases Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common health complaints of all and yoga can help to manage it. Even more importantly, regular yoga practice can prevent back pain from returning, as it strengthens the spine and promotes good posture. A 2012 study from Bangor University in Wales showed that yoga classes were effective at reducing back pain for the majority of participants.
Helps Manage Chronic Illness
Practicing yoga can be beneficial to people suffering from long term illnesses such as cancer. It does this in several ways, such as by helping these people reduce stress, sleep better and give them more energy. It can also help them to stay active, thus preventing atrophy of bones and muscles. Gentle forms of yoga are especially beneficial in this regard, providing an alternative to more tiring forms of exercise that wouldn’t be appropriate for people recovering from serious illnesses. A study conducted by the University of Rochester Medical Center, found that cancer patients had more energy and slept better after practicing a gentle form of yoga.
Yoga Has Many Healing Qualities
The above are just a few examples of how yoga can contribute to various types of healing in one’s life. There are benefits to every part of the body and mind, for yoga is a holistic practice. The more you are able to incorporate its principles into your daily life, the more you can enjoy its healing powers.
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