ByN. Lothungbeni Humtsoe

June 21, 2021 (IANSlife) The health benefits of regular yoga practice are beyond our imagination. Yoga benefits one and all, irrespective of the age or gender or even the fitness levels. One can resume the yoga practice at any age and it does not have any pre-requisites. Overall, yoga has the capacity to transform you from the inside, both, physically and mentally. 
 

Dr Manoj Kutteri, Wellness Director at Atmantan Wellness Centre shares some key benefits of yoga:

1.    Flexibility of joints and improved muscle strength. 

Yoga improves the flexibility and range of motion at the joints. You may experience stiffness during the beginning of the practice, however, with continuous practice, you will soon note the flexibility and physical agility in your body. In addition to enhancing your flexibility, yoga also increases physical endurance and helps tone down your muscles. It uses your body-weight to tone your muscles as well strengthen the muscles. Doing different yoga poses improves your flexibility, balance and muscle tone. With regular practice, you will notice your body is fit, sculpted, and muscles more defined. 

2.    Improves circulation

Yoga involves various relaxation techniques and breathing exercises which considerably improve your blood flow. It works particularly to improve the blood flow in the peripheral parts of your body such as your hand and feet. Increase in blood flow means better transportation of oxygen in between your body cells, to improve your organ function as a result. It also means better transportation of nutrients throughout your body. 

3.    Yoga improves cardio vascular health

Yoga helps to oxygenate your body, which lowers the risk of cardio vascular diseases. It also boosts levels of haemoglobin and helps treat health problems like blood clotting leading to heart attacks and strokes. It improves cardiovascular endurance and conditioning. Regular yoga practice increases blood circulation, thereby reducing your blood pressure levels. 

4.    Yoga for boosting immunity

Yoga improves every cell function in the body, which means improved immune function. Basic yoga postures like asana and pranayama build immunity. Yoga practice may also reduce inflammation since it betters your immune response. Yoga also helps in balancing the hormone system in the body which also contribute to better immunity. 

5.    Yoga for beating stress  

Yoga has always been regarded as a mental practice which helps to remove the root cause (mind origin) of any diseases. As you dwell in the present moment, you tend to forget your large and small worries and learn to live in the moment. Yoga also has an anti-depressant effect and help deal with symptoms of depression. It does so by controlling the levels of serotonin and controlling the levels of cortisol. Thus, yoga controls the level of stress hormone production in the body. 

6.    Yoga helps reduce blood sugar

Yoga helps in lowering your blood sugar levels as well as your LDL (bad cholesterol) levels. It boosts your good cholesterol levels at the same time. Yoga specifically benefits diabetics by reducing cortisol (the primary stress hormone) and adrenaline levels. It also encourages weight loss and improves sensitivity to insulin.Balanced cortisol level is also good for your mood and motivation since this main stress hormone influence certain parts of the brain. 

7.    Yoga helps release muscle tension

Continuous yoga practice has the potential to reduce chronic tension, muscle fatigue and muscle soreness affecting the flexibility of your wrists, shoulders, neck and other joints. Yoga practice will release muscle tension, making you feel in more control of your body by relaxing your muscles. The progressive muscle relaxation techniques in yoga helps you manage muscle tensions more effectively.

8.    Enhance respiratory functions

Yoga helps you breathe better and deeper. Improved breathing helps in dealing with many health problems like nasal allergies. It calms your nervous system releasing physical and mental stress from inside you. Controlled breathing also means your lungs function more efficiently as they are utilised to their full capacity. 

9.    Improves gut health

It is particularly effective in dealing with irritable bowel syndrome, stomach ulcers and common problems like constipation, which occur mainly due to physical and mental stress. So, when you stress less, it naturally improves your digestive balance from the inside. Yoga also helps in effective transportation of nutrients and waste from your body, leading to better bowel movements and improved digestive health. 

 

 

 

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N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe can be contacted at lothungbeni.h@ians.in