Yoga and its Positive Effects on the Mind and Body

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The benefits of Yoga are endless. It effects the human mind and body in a variety of ways. Roughly 15 million Americans practice yoga, annually there is an expected increase of twenty percent in participants in the United States ("Yoga Statistics"). While Yoga is often thought of as a practice that involves circus like poses and seemingly impossible flexibility; it not. Even bedridden patients can gain benefit from imagining themselves going through the poses and practicing breathing techniques that are appropriate to them (Dickenson 24-25). Yoga is not something that you do at the studio and leave behind. It becomes a way of life; leading to healthier habits, improving psychological health, and encouraging spiritual growth. An article on using yoga in intimate relationships, by Kate H. Feldman says; "It means learning and using relational skills which you intentionally build into your daily interactions: taking time to listen to, and learn about who your partner is; learning how to make agreements; learning how to set boundaries; learning how to use skillful language when you are speaking and being able to identify your feelings and speak them out without losing your temper or perspective (16-20)."
Yoga could be described as the practice of holding different poses, and using diferrent breathing techniques that strengthens the mind and body, by bringing the practitioner into a new state of awareness. The practice of yoga increases blood flow to internal organs, brings more oxygen to the cells in your body, while strengthening and calming the nervous system. There are many different types of yoga. In the United States the most widely practiced form is known as Hatha, which is a combination of poses taken from all types of yoga b...

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...2014: 24-25. Print.
"News." Yoga. Mar. 2014: 8-9. Print.
Feldman, Kate H. "Holding the Posture of Relationship." Yoga. Feb. 2014: 16-20. Print.
"What is Kripalu?" Kripalu. Aug-Nov 2013: 4-5. Print.
Hartfiel, Ned, Jon Havenhand , Sat Bir Khalsa , Graham Clarke, and Anne Krayer. "The Effectiveness of Yoga for the Improvement of Well-being and Resilience to Stress in the Workplace." Scandinavian Journal of Work, Enviroment, and Health. (2011): 70-76. Web. 13 Apr. 2014. .
United States. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Get the facts: Yoga for Health. NCCAM Clearinghouse, 2008. Web. .
Forbes, Bo. Interview by Kelly Birch. "Interview with Bo Forbes, PsyD." Yoga Therapy Today. Spring 2013. 28-33. Web. 7 Apr 2014.

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