Denver moms (and the rest of the family) can benefit from yoga

Think yoga is just a "fitness fad" that will eventually fade?  Think again.  According to WebMD, yoga has been practiced for more than 5,000 years and close to 11 million Americans are currently enjoying its health benefits, including many hot celebrity moms. Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon, Madonna and many other famous moms maintain their amazing physiques in part due to regular yoga practice.

Yoga does much more than just make you look great - it offers many health benefits for both adults and children.  WebMD discusses some health benefits of yoga in a recent online article.

Health Benefits of Yoga:

• Flexibility - Yoga poses help to safely stretch your muscles, releasing lactic acid, which builds up with muscle use and can cause stiffness, tension, pain and fatigue.
• Strength - Many poses are challenging, especially when held for several long breaths, and help to build muscle.  When practiced correctly, nearly all yoga poses help to build core strength in the deep abdominal muscles.
• Posture - Increased core strength and flexibility will naturally lead to improved posture and body awareness. 
• Breathing - Practicing yoga requires consistent deep breathing, which in time will increase lung capacity and can lead to improved sports performance and endurance.
• De-stress - With the deep breathing techniques and slow, calculated movements and poses, yoga has a natural calming effect and can significantly reduce stress levels.
• Concentration and Mood - Most yoga students express feelings of contentment, happiness and mental focus.  Decreased depression rates have also been linked to yoga practice.  These benefits may be due to the increased level of oxygen the brain receives during a yoga workout.
• Heart Benefits - Yoga has been shown to decrease blood pressure and heart rate, which can benefit those suffering from hypertension, heart disease and stroke. 
• Other Medical Conditions - Research has shown that yoga can benefit those who suffer from many chronic conditions like asthma, back pain, arthritis, insomnia and multiple sclerosis.

According to More4Kids.com, yoga also offers several benefits for children.  Some of these benefits include:  flexibility, strength, stamina, balance, coordination and proper body alignment.  All of these things help children understand how to use their bodies more safely, reducing risk of injury during competitive sports. 

Want to give it a try?  Check out these Denver yoga studios:

Samadhi Center for Yoga & Meditation - Uptown Square. 639 E. 19th Ave. Denver. 80203. (303)860-YOGA.

CorePower Yoga - Check website for the location close to you.

Iyengar Yoga Center of Denver - 770 S. Broadway.  Denver. 80209. (720)570-9642.

Yoga on 6th -  2780 E. 6th Ave.  Denver. 80206.  (303)388-6408.

Plus many, many more!

Lazy Lizards Yoga is a fun program designed for kids in the Denver area.  However, most adult yoga studios offer classes specifically for children as well, so make sure to ask!

Yoga is a great workout for people of all fitness levels.  Don't be intimidated, try a class today!

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Check out the below video for effective yoga poses for new moms!