Yoga is good for what ails you…
Guest post by
Nathan Beddome
For many Texans who are not too familiar to the practice, yoga just seems like an eastern stretching class that your local gym offers. And as a skeptic at heart, that’s what I was inclined to believe at first. However when I was diagnosed with a big Texas sized patch of shingles (a nasty, extremely painful condition that feels like you are constantly being burned) on my side at age 19 due to stress and anxiety, my doctor recommended yoga to better control my constant worrying. And I found out, much like a countless number of studies and research has proven, yoga offers benefits I never even expected and it really can increase a Texan’s overall well being and quality of life.
Health Benefits of Yoga
It goes without saying that yoga has its physical advantages. Texas is getting less healthy and expanding at the waistline. According to a Dallas Morning News article, at the current obesity growth rate, 57.2 percent of Texas’s population will be obese by 2030, which will potentially lead to 13 million more cases of diseases like diabetes, cancer, and heart failure. Those are some truly scary numbers that prove that Texans need all the help they can get.
And that’s where Yoga can come in to save the day. Based on a HealthStudy.com study, depending on the person and the class, one can lose 200-600 calories from one hour of yoga! Yoga builds strength, particularly in the abdominal region, and leaves your muscles and joints more flexible and less prone to injury. Yoga also has led to a wide variety of medical benefits as well, for it has been shown to lower blood pressure and risk of heart disease, decrease cholesterol and triglyceride levels, relieve symptoms of asthma, back pain and arthritis. Even many cancer centers have listed yoga on their treatment list to help ease the symptoms of the wretched disease.
Well-being Benefits
According to Gallup’s Wellbeing index of Texas, Texas has declined in rank among all the states in the U.S. in emotional health over the years. Once again, yoga can help with that, too. Even with someone’s first time practicing it, yoga, with its deep breathing techniques, has proven to calm the mind and emotions and relieve stress. Many classes like restorative yoga are specifically designed to relieve stress with a variety of breathing exercises, meditation, and deep stretches, which can be exactly what one needs after a hard day of work. Mindfulness Yoga is a practice that focuses on clearing the chatter of thoughts in the mind and living in the present. Cornerstone Mindfulness, founded by Jennifer Fairbank, is a recent program and book that delves deeper into the realm of mindfulness helps someone to empowers one’s self to live a more fulfilled and present life by focusing on improving their mind, body, behavior, and emotion.
So there you have it! I hope I’ve at least created an interest for you to try Yoga and experience these benefits for yourself. If you live or are just passing by Austin come see us and take advantage of the perks of yoga in the heart of Texas.
Mind Body Yoga
12636 Research Blvd., Suite C-206
Austin, Texas 78759
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh, yeah, Werst, I know you learned right-armed Texas Yoga just like I did. In high school. Stretching my right arm, holding the weight of a beer bottle in my hand, from the bar to my mouth. Tough exercise, but rewarding!
I have found that Tai Chi is best for me. It is a great exercise and helps with balance along with getting a full aerobic workout. Its beneficial especially as we grow older.
Troy