It is not news that yoga is good for us. But what is news is the amount of research that has been taking place to prove the many benefits of this ancient practice. Research performed at Harvard Medical School has demonstrated that yoga offers significant benefits for people dealing with a wide range of health problems including back pain, sleep disorders, stomach problems, high blood pressure, depression and chronic headaches.
Other studies have shown benefits for those who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and for managing pain, such as with Fibromyalgia, a disease marked by widespread muscle and joint pain. Just this month, Fox News reported that yoga “helps people reduce and cope with stress on both psychological and physiological levels which in turn may boost the immune system”.
Studies performed at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center found that yoga helps people battle obesity and middle-age spread. Andjust recently, this center began a new study that will explore the impact of yoga on weight gain, fatigue and quality of life for breast cancer survivors.
According to Kelli Blount, an Austin yoga instructor, the #1 ailment she hears when she asks students if they have any health concerns is back pain. And according to the American Chiropractic Association, up to 80% of all people will experience back pain in their life. Kelli says that yoga is excellent for both relaxing and strengthening the back which helps to reduce existing pain while also helping to prevent future injuries. She also recommends that those with back pain get checked so they know exactly what is going on in their body. This is something that Kelli is a bit of an expert in as she also suffers from back pain and as a result, is very sensitive to the physical challenges of her students. When I attended her class, she stressed that you should not feel pain when doing yoga. Pain is usually an indication that something in the body is not right or we are not performing the yoga posture in the correct way.
People often hesitate to take a yoga class because they feel they are not in good enough shape or because they are dealing with other health challenges. Kelli suggests that those who feel that way should seek out a class that is described to be appropriate for beginners. One of the classes she teaches is at Chirofit Wellness Center on Cypress Creek near 183 on Monday evenings at 7pm and is ideal for both new and experienced students. New students who mention this article can attend their first class at no charge.
Chirofit’s Dr. Mo Jahadi (aka Dr. Mo), a Chiropractor and Sports Injury Specialist, believes in incorporating yoga into the treatment plan for many of his chiropractic patients. Classes are currently offered at 7 PM on Mondays and Thursdays and on Saturdays at 10:30 AM. The cost is $15 per class, 10 for $99 or through discounted membership plans. All of the classes are suitable for beginners as well as advanced students. Pre-registration by calling 512.531.9100 is suggested but not required.
In 2010, research from the UK showed that even doing a relatively small amount of yoga can produce lasting benefits. Participants of the research project who took a class for one hour per week for six weeks reported significant improvements in energy, composure and confidence and noted that they felt more clear-minded and better able to cope with stress as well as having an overall increase in life satisfaction. An improvement in productivity was also noted.
So now, you should have no doubts that yoga is good for whatever ails you and that you can even experience its life-changing benefits with as little as just one class per week! Yoga can easily be done in the comfort of your home but you first need to learn how to do it correctly. This is a good time to take the first step -- find a class at a convenient time and location and experience its many benefits!
Comments