Health Benefits Inside 1. Blood pressure. A consistent yoga practice decreases blood pressure through better circulation and oxygenation of the body. These two exercises can help lower blood pressure. 2. Pulse rate. A slower pulse rate indicates that your heart is strong enough to pump more blood with fewer beats. Regularly practicing yoga provides a lower pulse rate. 3. Circulation. Yoga improves blood circulation. By transporting nutrients and oxygen throughout your body, yoga practice provides healthier organs, skin, and brain. 4. Respiratory. Like the circulatory system, a lower respiratory rate indicates that the lungs are working more efficiently. Yoga decreases the respiratory rate through a combination of controlled breathing exercises and better fitness. 5. Cardiovascular endurance. A combination of lower heart rate and improved oxygenation to the body (both benefits of yoga) results in higher cardiovascular endurance. 6. Organs. Yoga practice massages internal […]
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Happy Feet
Many of the discomforts in our body begin with our feet. As you walk, your foot, which could be thought of as a sense organ, finds the ground and sends messages to the rest of the body how to support your movement. This function is limited because we put our feet in shoes and walk along paved streets when our bodies were built to run barefoot on the earth. Whether or not you have foot pain, fallen arches, bunions, toes that don’t spread, or you wear high heel shoes, this one simple exercise will help you open and increase blood flow in your foot, loosen tight calves and hamstrings, and allow your foot to ground more completely. What To Do: 1. Get yourself a “pinky ball.” 2. Step down on it with your heel, slowly move the ball 1/4 inch at a time toward your toes. Stay 30 seconds in each spot. 3. You […]
Continue ReadingRelief From Standing
It’s been fun making the Yoga Anywhere! Take Five and Stretch Videos and I appreciate the positive feedback I’ve been hearing from you. I am so glad the videos are helpful! Some of you have reached out and said that you stand all day, and asked what you can do to ease the discomfort and pain that results. This week’s post is for you. If you’re a teacher, retail worker, doctor, nurse, waitresses, cashiers or other stander, here are some tips for you! A few of the consequences of standing at your job all day are; sore feet, varicose veins, stiff lower back, locking the knee joint, and just like our seated friends, stiff neck and shoulders. Here are some ways you can relieve these symptoms. 1. When you get home each evening take your shoes off and don’t wear them around the house. After removing your shoes use your […]
Continue ReadingThe Benefits of Shoulder Stand
Shoulder stand is a pose that is its own practice. A regular practice of this pose called the queen of all asana, has so many health benefits to living vibrantly. It’s name in Sanskrit is Sarvangasana which means “all limbs pose” and therefore benefits all areas of your body. The practice of shoulder stand: Reduces tension and stress in the neck and shoulders and cultivates healthy alignment. Improves complexion and reduces wrinkles due to the increased flow of blood to the face. Soothes the nervous system by calming the parasympathetic system and helps to balance those who are easily irritated, anxious, and prone to nervous breakdowns or anger. Boosts the immune system and reduces the tendency to get the common cold. Decreases varicose veins by draining the blood from the legs, pelvis, and belly. Stimulates the thyroid and parathyroid helping the body to balance the hormones produced by these glands. Energizes […]
Continue ReadingHealthful Advice
Years ago I received some really good advice from one of my first yoga teachers and would like to pass it along to you. It was 1995 and I had a stressful corporate job. Some days there was so much pressure I began to experience a bit of anxiety. My wise yoga teacher suggested that when I felt stressed or simply experienced a drop in energy during my day to go into the restroom and get my head below my heart. Believe it or not I started to do this. I found myself going to the restroom and taking Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend) breaks a few times a day. This helpful advice worked wonders! Next time you feel stressed or catch yourself looking for a sugar or caffeine boost during the day try inverting instead! For more on the benefits of inversions see my recent blog post. To learn how to cultivate […]
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