Yoga for Your Health
Yoga done regularly can help save trips to the doctor’s office for a few good health reasons!! Did you know….Yoga can improve sleep by activating your parasympathetic nervous system (“rest and digest”) and thus can help you fall asleep and stay asleep (i.e forget the restless nights and head into sweet dreams). Here are some other amazing health benefits of this ancient Indian mind body practice:
1.Improves Digestion
Yoga can promote healthy bowel movements by increasing blood flow, oxygen delivery and improves the wavelike flow of food through the intestine, a movement called peristalsis. Drinking water after a yoga session is a great way to hydrate as well as alleviate signs and symptoms of constipation.
2. Better Posture Improves Oxygen for the Body.
Deep breathing exercises and good posture during yoga helps position your diaphragm in order to increase the maximum blood oxygen. Increased blood oxygen can reduce symptoms of confusion, headache, restlessness and dizziness. This also helps you to stay alert and focused!
3. Improve Immune System
Yoga reduces pro-inflammatory markers caused by severe stress. This increases plasma levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines which in turn raises plasma level of cortisol and causes immune deficiency. By decreasing inflammation, the body can prevent heart disease, diabetes, cancer and improve overall immune system. Pairing a post yoga meal with a fresh salad consisting of colorful veggies and a source of protein will help to continue to boost immunity after your workout.
4. Improve Heart Health
Yoga reduces risk factors for heart disease by lowering blood pressure, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels and increasing HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels. I share a great foods list I have of high HDL raising foods in my nutrition sessions!
5. Decrease Stress & Promote Relaxation
Practicing yoga regularly is known to decrease cortisol secretion which is the primary stress hormone.
For beginners practice yoga 1 to 2 times a week for at least 15–60 minutes to improve mental and physical health. Search online to see if your city offers any free yoga classes (google “Free yoga classes near me”. See below for some resources!
FREE Classes:
About Me
Sharon P. Banta is the founder of SPB Nutrition. She is happy to meet with you via virtual sessions which help support a busy lifestyle as well as in-person sessions! Please visit www.spbNutrition.com for more details on how to schedule a session and remember, Your Health is Your Wealth.
