 Fitness Spotlight: YogaLooking for a workout with something more? Maybe it’s time to try yoga. While it’s certainly not new to the U.S. fitness scene, yoga continues to grow in popularity year after year. In fact, it’s estimated that some 20 million people practice yoga worldwide. And to hear many yoga buffs talk about it, once you start you’ll be completely hooked. So what is it about yoga that makes it so popular? Just check out all the health benefits and see for yourself.So What Exactly Is Yoga? The Sanskrit word “yoga” means union — more specifically, the union of mind, body and spirit. Yoga originated in India about 5,000 years ago and first became popular in the U.S. in the ‘60s. While back then it was seen as more of a hippie fad, these days it’s about as mainstream as it gets. With yoga studios cropping up all over the place, there’s bound to be one (or several) near you. And with so many different types of yoga to choose from, there’s something for everyone. Most Western yoga is actually hatha yoga, which refers to the physical practice of yoga. This involves a combination of poses, called asanas, and breathing techniques, which are known as pranyama. Getting Started While many forms of yoga are safe for people who have joint discomfort, it’s still a good idea to check with your doctor before beginning a new fitness routine. Start out with less vigorous types of yoga, like Iyengar yoga or Anusara yoga, which tend to be easier on the joints. And be sure to let your instructor know about your joint problems in advance. Depending on your strength and range of motion, he or she can modify many of the poses or recommend props to make them easier on your joints. Let Your Body Be Your Guide Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been doing it for a while, it’s important to pay attention to how you’re feeling during your practice of yoga. And that’s particularly true for people who have joint discomfort. Pushing yourself a little is okay; it’s what helps you progress. But if you push yourself to the point where it hurts, it’s probably time to ease up. Remember that yoga is not a competition; if you find yourself worrying too much about your progress, then you’re missing the point. Reduce Stress and Boost Your Mood If you’ve ever taken a yoga class and emerged feeling like you’d been through a therapy session, a massage and a workout all rolled into one, you can attest to the restorative powers of yoga. Since yoga emphasizes the mind-body connection, it gives you a great workout while calming your mind and soothing your soul at the same time. Concentrating on your breathing and on your yoga postures is like a form of meditation. And by setting aside your worries for a while, you’ll emerge feeling completely relaxed. Improve Your Overall Health The physical benefits of yoga are well documented. As it works your muscles, it not only stretches and strengthens them but also releases lactic acid buildup, which helps to alleviate stiffness. Yoga is particularly good for the core muscles, which help support your balance. But the physical benefits don’t end there. Numerous studies have shown that yoga is also great for your heart. It improves circulation, helps decrease the heart rate and lowers blood pressure, all of which can help reduce your risk of heart disease and other heart-related conditions. For another good way to take care of your heart, try Schiff® MegaRed® Omega-3 Krill Oil. Omega-3 fatty acids from phospholipids, like those found in MegaRed® Omega-3 Krill Oil, are better utilized by the cells than the triglycerides found in fish oil. The phospholipids in MegaRed® closely resemble the phospholipids of human cells, so they’re more easily recognized, incorporated and utilized by the body. And with MegaRed®, there’s no fishy smell or aftertaste. Strengthen Your Joints Regular exercise is vital to help keep your joints and cartilage healthy and strong. Since yoga emphasizes gentle stretching of the spine and the joints, it eases stiffness and discomfort while improving your range of motion and overall joint health. In fact, it may even be more beneficial for your joints than other types of exercise. But we’ll get back to that in a minute. First, you need to understand a little more about how joints function. Over time, the cartilage that cushions your bones naturally deteriorates. Unlike most other tissues in the body, cartilage doesn’t have its own blood supply. In order to function properly, it relies on synovial fluid from the joints to deliver nutrients and remove waste. This fluid also lubricates the cartilage as you move your joints. So the more you move, the more you’ll be able to keep moving. Since yoga increases your range of motion more than many other types of exercise, as you move through the poses you’re sending synovial fluid to each and every joint. And that means that it’s especially good for your joints. While you’re exercising and taking care of your joints, remember to keep taking Move Free® Advanced. Products that contain Glucosamine and Chondroitin alone can take up to four to six weeks to start working, but Move Free® Advanced starts comforting sore joints in less than seven days.** And it’s clinically tested. Take Care of Yourself and Your Joints Yoga is just one form of exercise that can help keep your body healthy and strong. Many people with joint discomfort have benefitted from yoga, and so can you. To find out more, contact a yoga studio near you. **Independent human clinical study (Los Angeles, 2008). |
