Good Health And Yoga

Good Health and Yoga — No Comments
21
Feb 12

Yoga can teach both male and female athletes good health habits

Whenever people think of yoga, they may picture a room full of women. However, the mind-body regimen is increasingly catching on among people of all backgrounds, from people in the armed forces to professional athletes. Although the bodies of male and female athletes are fundamentally different, one aerobics instructor believes that yoga can teach good health habits to both groups.

"Almost all people have some idea that yoga is a good activity to perform on a regular basis, but some people, especially athletes, are not exactly sure of the many benefits yoga has to offer," Heather Johnson-Emerson wrote in Yahoo! Sports.

Specifically, she detailed five different effects.

1. Yoga can strengthen the muscles, including the quads, hamstrings, back and abs.

2. Yoga breathing, relaxation and meditation can all lower blood pressure and improve stress management, therefore supporting heart health.

3. Increased flexibility can decrease pain during physical activity.

4. Yoga can boost libido.

5. The mind-body regimen can improve one's mood and disposition. These effects can be further augmented with the help of aromatherapy, Johnson-Emerson wrote.

Athletes who want to learn more should check out their local New Mexico yoga classes. They'd certainly be in good company. According to a survey published in the Yoga Journal, 15.8 million Americans were practicing the holistic healing technique as of 2008. Nearly 28 percent were men.

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7
Feb 12

Good health habits can stave off the cold and flu

While spring may be around the corner, winter – as well as the cold and flu season – is not over yet. However, there are several good health habits that can keep the immune system strong, including nutritious eating, rest and stress management, according to the Erie Times-News.

"It's all intertwined," said family physician Richard Ortoski, D.O., as quoted by the news source. "If you have too much stress going on, you don't sleep well. If you don't sleep well, you'll have trouble handling stress and you might not eat well."

Microbiologist Christopher Keller told the news source that sleep is a time when the body heals and produces more immune system cells. Not only can stress disrupt sleeping habits, but it can also hamper immunity. Keller recommended yoga and meditation to help control stress.

Furthermore, fruits and vegetables can ensure the proper intake of vitamins and minerals that the immune system needs. These cells also benefit from proper hydration, so be sure to drink adequate amounts of water.

Other doctors seem to be in agreement over the health benefits of yoga. According to a 2008 study conducted by the Yoga Journal, nearly 14 million Americans took up the holistic healing regimen based on the recommendation of a physician or therapist.

So if you need help staving off stress as well as the sniffles, consider checking out New Mexico yoga classes!

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31
Jan 12

Yoga can be modified to teach seniors good health habits

Everyone deserves the chance to age graciously and with dignity. Living independently in one's golden years is a big part that goal. Fortunately for seniors, yoga can be modified to accommodate their needs and teach them good health habits.

There are several ways in which yoga can promote a strong body, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a division of the National Institutes of Health. This mind-body regimen can lower blood pressure, optimize lung capacity and improve both strength and flexibility.

These exercises can be modified to fit the needs of seniors. In fact, a national two-day course, known as BoomerPlus Yoga, is dedicated to teaching instructors as well as caregivers how to do just that, according to the Sun Sentinel.

"Getting onto the floor is something most seniors are reluctant to do. We forget how difficult it is for some of them to get back up," said yoga instructor and course student Amy Kraft, as quoted by the news source.

One way for seniors to adjust to yoga is to use supports to help stabilize them, such as a chair or blocks.

Yoga can also provide seniors with mental stimulation and a chance to socialize. So if you're interested in finding a fun and nurturing community, consider visiting any of your local New Mexico yoga classes.

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23
Jan 12

Good health habits must include positive self-attitude

There are a lot of different things that can motivate people to adopt good health habits for weight loss. These may include a desire for a healthier body or being able to wear comfortable clothes without having to buy a new wardrobe where everything is two sizes bigger. However, there is also a negative reason why people may want to lose weight – self-loathing.

"Yes, taking care of your physical self is important but equally important is also taking care of the emotional you, the intellectual you, the mental you and the spiritual you," fitness blogger Tess Zevenbergen wrote in The Province. "When you learn to feed and balance all these aspects of yourself in a harmonious way, happiness and inner peace is more likely to arrive at your doorstep."

This holistic attitude toward health helps explain why yoga is becoming more popular, she said.

The blogger also wrote that obesity can sometimes be a symptom rather than a disease. Specifically, weight problems can be a sign of food addiction, in which the unhealthy consumption of food is actually a maladaptive coping mechanism for emotional issues. Addressing these underlying problems can help healthy weight loss efforts, Zevenbergen added.

People who are interested in New Mexico yoga classes for weight loss should keep in mind that this mind-body regimen has a range of health benefits. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, yoga can help improve stress management, heart rate and body composition.

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21
Dec 11

Yoga can help people focus on good healthy foods

As anyone who practices yoga can tell you, the mind-body regimen is not just an exercise. It's also a lifestyle that can support your overall well-being and even increase your focus on eating good healthy foods, according to Yahoo! Sports.

Some yoga enthusiasts classify their foods into three groups, according to writer Rebecca Bardelli. Foods that are fried, heavily seasoned or overly processed can cause weight gain and a bad mood, while overly spicy and salty food can cause laziness. However, fresh food that is minimally seasoned and cooked without hurting its nutrients can do wonders for the body's organs.

Meanwhile, yoga can make practitioners more mindful not only of what they eat, but of how they eat and respond to feelings of hunger and fullness.

"In [an] earlier study, we found that middle-age people who practice yoga gained less weight over a 10-year period than those who did not," said researcher Alan Kristal, DrPH, as quoted in Yahoo! Sports. "This was independent of physical activity and dietary patterns. We hypothesized that mindfulness – a skill learned either directly or indirectly through yoga – could affect eating behavior."

There are other ways that Santa Fe yoga classes can help promote a healthy weight. This physical activity can also improve muscle relaxation and composition, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

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14
Dec 11

Yoga’s lessons on living a good healthy life may help prisoners

One of the biggest problems facing the American criminal justice system is prison overcrowding. In 1994, one study found that among 300,000 newly released adult prisoners, about two-thirds were re-arrested within three years, according to Dowser. However, one man believes that yoga can impact that recidivism rate by teaching inmates how to lead a good healthy life.

"It's so important for teaching yoga in prison to make it practical, applicable to issues that prisoners face," said James Fox, founder of the Prison Yoga Project, as quoted by Dowser. "People in prison have not learned how to manage their impulses, or in some cases their addictions to drugs or alcohol. One of the main advantages of yoga in prison is learning self-discipline. Yoga requires a great deal of self-discipline and self-control."

While Fox's classes initially had a low turnout, more and more inmates became interested in the mind-body exercise. Former prisoners now write to Fox to let him know his teachings have helped them become calm and better able to fit in with society, the news source said.

People who want to take New Mexico yoga classes can reap several physical as well as mental health benefits. These exercises may improve one's heart rate, flexibility and stress management, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

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28
Nov 11

Prenatal yoga can help maintain good health in pregnancy

In addition to a nutritious diet, doctors recommend that pregnant women also stay physically active in order to help maintain good health while expecting. Mothers-to-be may be interested to know that specially designed prenatal yoga classes can help them prepare for delivery, according to Yahoo! Sports.

"Yoga breathing may come in handy during labor and delivery by diminishing shortness of breath," wrote Rebecca Bardelli. "It can also help women to breath through contractions with less difficulty."

New Mexico yoga classes can also help reduce the stress, nausea and body aches of pregnancy, as well as improve blood pressure and a woman's ability to sleep. Special exercises may even condition the muscles and other structures associated with delivery, according to the news source.

Prenatal yoga classes also offer pregnant women the chance to connect with other expectant mothers, Bardelli wrote.

Pregnant women should consult with their doctors about adopting the right exercise regimen. Regular physical activity can help expectant women improve mood and ensure healthy weight gain for both mother and child, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a division of the National Institutes of Health. However, mothers-to-be should avoid hot temperatures and any yoga poses that require them to extend their legs beyond their hearts or lie flat on their back or stomach, the news source said.

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21
Nov 11

New Mexico yoga classes can support a longer life span

Researchers from Denmark suggest that people born in the year 2000 may live long enough to reach 100 years old, according to CBS affiliate WLTX. Furthermore, New Mexico yoga classes and other practices may help individuals reach that age.

"What's holding us back are bad habits," said Walter Bortz II, a clinical associate professor of medicine at Stanford University, when commenting on the Danish study for WLTX.

Among the good health habits put forward by the news source are eating more fruits and vegetables, reducing stress and exercising five days a week, which can reportedly add up to five, six and four years to one's life, respectively.

Increased mind-body awareness may support people's attempts to eat better and get fit. One way to boost this awareness is through yoga classes, according to the news source. Furthermore, these exercises can strengthen the abs and legs while stretching the hips and and thighs.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a division of the National Institutes of Health, some studies suggest that yoga can increase lung capacity, improve strength fitness and reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia. As of 2007, more than 13 million American adults reported practicing yoga within the previous year.

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10
Nov 11

Living a good healthy life can start with adopting yoga

The pursuit of a good healthy life is the goal of countless Americans, but many people are unsure about where to start. It's common knowledge that diet and exercise are crucial to attaining optimal well-being, but it can be difficult to shake off bad habits such as watching too much TV and eating fast food.

When it comes to improving your fitness routine, starting slow is a must. This is one reason why yoga may be a great first step for health-conscious individuals. The holistic Eastern regimen originated many centuries ago, but is still immensely popular today. It features gentle stretches, poses and breathing exercises that have helped enthusiasts achieve everything from inner peace and relaxation to shoulder and neck pain relief.

The Huffington Post reports that yoga may be ideal for older individuals, for whom more rigorous activities could be unsuitable.

"As we age, the focus naturally becomes more about balance and moderation," said yoga enthusiast Alanna Zabel in her article. "Remember that yoga is a path intending to yoke the ego as a means to serve one's truth. It requires patience, consistency, presence, compassion, knowledge and understanding."

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6
Oct 11

Importance of good health begins with calming the mind through yoga

Understanding the importance of good health means focusing on multiple aspects of well-being, including the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Choosing an activity that enhances all four can save time, which may be one reason why yoga is so well-known.

The ancient Eastern system, which originated many centuries ago, is popular among Americans for myriad reasons. For one, the breathing techniques are designed to calm their minds and soothe their spirits. For another, the tranquil maneuvers can help strengthen their bodies and improve flexibility. Additionally, yoga may alleviate the discomfort of many medical conditions and be a viable type of neck pain treatment.

According to the Lorton Patch, engaging in yoga and meditation can help enthusiasts find inner peace. In her article, Mel Johnson wrote that a recent all-female hike on which she embarked with friends turned into a discussion about emotional challenges.

"Both romance and meditation are utterly related to each other in our circle of women," Johnson explained. "I relayed the lamentations of another girlfriend who was struggling in her relationship, and the advice I gave her: try more yoga and meditation."

Why? She added that achieving tranquility begins with calming the mind and the body, which can enable stressed individuals to feel more centered.

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