How health is improved with yoga asanas

Yoga aids physical and emotional health at an intrinsic level

by Annette J Beveridge

Yoga and health are interlinked, and we must consider the mind and body as an intricate unit so when we study and utilise yoga postures, we also treat every part of self with kindness and compassion.

As you embark on your journey towards greater health, know that the more you understand the basic asanas (postures), the greater the benefits. 

What are the benefits of yoga?

Yoga is about balance and inner harmony. When you focus on the movement and the ‘hold’, you move deeper into the stretch, and you become mindful.

Yoga asanas involve physiological and psychological processes.  

Each posture has a powerful impact on every cell and tissue within the body. When practicing regularly, organ function improves and the mind is clearer while a strong, supple and healthy body is being formed.

Yoga postures have distinct requirements. The stretches must be exact, and there must be counter-stretches, and resistance.

In addition, there are postures that provide a wealth of other benefits - opening the mind, boosting concentration levels, or calming the mind. Some postures stimulate mind and body.

Yoga is everything you need.

Asanas for health  

The standing poses provide you with vitality, twists provide a cleansing effect, prone poses help to energize, backbends increase a sense of exhilaration while seated postures have a calming effect.

When practicing inverted postures, there will be greater mental strength. Balancing poses help increase well-being and lightness within.  

When performing yoga regularly, many health issues can be alleviated or reduced. This is because every part of the body is affected in a positive way including being fully oxygenated.

Heart health improves, muscle tone improves, respiration increases and blood circulation improves too. The greater the connection between mind and body, the greater potential for safe practice and increased health and wellbeing.