New to Yoga?

Yoga means union. Through the performance of postures or “asanas” and breath work or “pranayama” one’s body, mind and spirit is restored to proper alignment.

Physiological Benefits of Yoga

• Stable autonomic nervous system equilibrium

• Pulse rate decreases

• Respiratory rate decreases

• Blood Pressure decreases (of special significance for hypo reactors)

• Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) increases

• EEG - alpha waves increase (theta, delta, and beta waves also increase during various stages of meditation)

• EMG activity decreases

• Cardiovascular efficiency increases

• Respiratory efficiency increases

• Gastrointestinal function normalizes

• Endocrine function normalizes

• Excretory functions improve

• Muskulatolskeletal flexibility and joint range of motion increase

• Breath-holding time increases

• Joint range of motion increase

• Grip strength increases

• Eye-hand coordination improves

• Dexterity skills improve

• Reaction time improves

• Posture improves

• Strength and resiliency increase

• Endurance increases

• Energy level increases

• Weight normalizes

• Sleep improves

• Immunity increases

• Pain decreases

• Steadiness improves

• Depth perception improves

• Balance improves

• Integrated functioning of body parts improves

Psychological Benefits of Yoga

• Somatic and kinesthetic awareness increase

• Mood improves and subjective well-being increases

• Self-acceptance and self-actualization increase

• Social adjustment increases

• Anxiety and depression decrease

• Hostility decreases

• Concentration improves

• Memory improves

• Attention improves

• Learning efficiency improves

• Mood improves

• Self-actualization increase

• Social skills increases

• Well-being increases

• Somatic and kinesthetic awareness increase

• Self-acceptance increase

• Attention improves

• Concentration improves

• Memory improves

• Learning efficiency improves

• Symbol coding improves

• Depth perception improves

• Flicker fusion frequency improves

Biochemical Benefits of Yoga

• Glucose decreases

• Sodium decreases

• Total cholesterol decreases

• Triglycerides decrease

• HDL cholesterol increases

• LDL cholesterol decreases

• VLDL cholesterol decreases

• Cholinesterase increases

• Catecholamines decrease

• ATPase increases

• Hematocrit increases

• Hemoglobin increases

• Lymphocyte count increases

• Total white blood cell count decreases

• Thyroxin increases

• Vitamin C increases

• Total serum protein increases

The many benefits of yoga are only “side effects” of this powerfully transformative practice. Yoga harmonizes the mind with the body, resulting in real quantum benefits. It is no longer a secret… so what are you waiting for?

List of benefits obtained from http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/beginnersguide/yogabenefits.asp