Benefits of Yoga
PHYSICAL BENEFITS:
· Accelerates weight loss by increasing the CALORIES you burn. The higher the intensity and the longer the duration of the yoga practice, the more calories you will burn. Calories burned per session are also dependent upon your body weight, body fat percentage (the more muscle you have the more calories you burn), age, and gender (men tend to have more muscle, so they burn more calories).
· Increases metabolic rate, which is your overall ability to burn calories throughout the day.
· Decreases body fat percentage.
· Increases mobilization and utilization of fat as a fuel.
· Builds lean muscle mass, which is metabolically active.
· Improves muscle tone, agility, and flexibility.
· Strengthens bones, ligaments, and tendons.
· Yoga is a weight-bearing exercise so it helps prevent osteoporosis.
PHYSIOLOGICAL BENEFITS:
· Cleanses, detoxifies, and brings nutrients to all your vital organs.
· Improves circulation of oxygen and nutrients to active muscles.
· Decreases resting heart rate.
· Increases heart and stroke volume and cardiac output.
· Increases total blood volume and oxygenates blood.
· Increases maximum oxygen consumption and ventilation.
· Increases lung capacity, as well as opens and aerates the lungs.
· Reduces BLOOD PRESSURE.
· Increases HDL (good cholesterol)
· Decreases LDL (bad cholesterol)
· Reduces blood glucose.
· Helps prevent Coronary Artery Disease, Obesity, Osteoporosis, Type 2 Diabetes.
· Improves arthritis.
· Balances the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.
· Helps to regulate and balance hormones.
· Improves the function of the sexual organs.
· Improves the quality of life and can lengthen longevity.
PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS:
· Decreases clinical symptoms of anxiety, tension, and depression.
· Builds self-confidence.
· Increases awareness, alertness and brain function.
· Cleanses and purifies the mind and intellect.
· Reduces stress and improves total well-being emotionally, physically and spiritually.