| oks tell us that Yoga, as we all know, is aimed to | | | | Social adjustment increases |
| unite the mind, the body, and the spirit. Yogis view | | | | Anxiety and Depression decrease |
| that the mind and the body are one and that if it is | | | | Hostility decreases |
| given the right yoga kit and tools and taken to the | | | | Concentration improves |
| right environment, it can find harmony and heal it. | | | | Memory improves |
| Yoga therefore is considered therapeutic. It helps | | | | Attention improves |
| you become more aware of your body's posture, | | | | Learning efficiency improves |
| alignment and patterns of movement. It makes the | | | | Mood improves |
| body more flexible and helps you relax even in the | | | | Self-actualization increase |
| midst of a stress stricken environment. This is one of | | | | Social skills increases |
| the foremost reasons why people want to start | | | | Well-being increases |
| Practicing Yoga - to feel fitter, be more energetic, | | | | Somatic and kinesthetic awareness increase |
| and be happier and peaceful. | | | | Self-acceptance increase |
| Yoga is a science that has been practiced for | | | | Attention improves |
| thousands of years. It is consists of Ancient | | | | Concentration improves |
| Theories, observations and principles about the mind | | | | Memory improves |
| and body connection which is now being proven by | | | | Learning efficiency improves |
| modern medicine. Substantial research has been | | | | Symbol coding improves |
| conducted to look at the Health Benefits of Yoga - | | | | Depth perception improves |
| from the Yoga Postures (Asanas), Yoga Breathing | | | | Flicker fusion frequency improves |
| (Pranayama), and Meditation. The information on | | | | Biochemical Benefits of Yoga |
| Yoga Poses & Benefits is grouped into three | | | | Glucose decreases |
| categories-physiological, psychological, biochemical | | | | Sodium decreases |
| effects. Furthermore, scientists have laid these | | | | Total cholesterol decreases |
| results against the benefits of regular exercise. | | | | Triglycerides decrease |
| Physiological Benefits of Yoga | | | | HDL cholesterol increases |
| Stable autonomic nervous system equilibrium | | | | LDL cholesterol decreases |
| Pulse rate decreases | | | | VLDL cholesterol decreases |
| Respiratory rate decreases | | | | Cholinesterase increases |
| Blood Pressure decreases (of special significance | | | | Catecholamine decrease |
| for hypo reactors) | | | | ATPase increases |
| Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) increases | | | | Hematocrit increases |
| EEG - alpha waves increase (theta, delta, and | | | | Hemoglobin increases |
| beta waves also increase during various stages of | | | | Lymphocyte count increases |
| meditation) | | | | Total white blood cell count decreases |
| EMG activity decreases | | | | Thyroxin increases |
| Cardiovascular efficiency increases | | | | Vitamin C increases |
| Respiratory efficiency increases | | | | Total serum protein increases |
| Gastrointestinal function normalizes | | | | Yoga Health Benefits versus Exercise Benefits |
| Endocrine function normalizes | | | | Yoga Benefits |
| Excretory functions improve | | | | Parasympathetic Nervous System dominates |
| Musculoskeletal flexibility and joint range of | | | | Subcortical regions of brain dominate |
| motion increase | | | | Slow dynamic and static movements |
| Breath-holding time increases | | | | Normalization of muscle tone |
| Joint range of motion increase | | | | Low risk of injuring muscles and ligaments |
| Grip strength increases | | | | Low caloric consumption |
| Eye-hand coordination improves | | | | Effort is minimized, relaxed |
| Dexterity skills improve | | | | Energizing (breathing is natural or controlled) |
| Reaction time improves | | | | Balanced activity of opposing muscle groups |
| Posture improves | | | | Noncompetitive, process-oriented |
| Strength and resiliency increase | | | | Awareness is internal (focus is on breath and the |
| Endurance increases | | | | infinite) |
| Energy level increases | | | | Limitless possibilities for growth in self-awareness |
| Weight normalizes | | | | Exercise Benefits |
| Sleep improves | | | | Sympathetic Nervous System dominates |
| Immunity increases | | | | Cortical regions of brain dominate |
| Pain decreases | | | | Rapid forceful movements |
| Steadiness improves | | | | Increased muscle tension |
| Depth perception improves | | | | Higher risk of injury |
| Balance improves | | | | Moderate to high caloric consumption |
| Integrated functioning of body parts improves | | | | Effort is maximized |
| Psychological Benefits of Yoga | | | | Fatiguing (breathing is taxed) |
| Somatic and kinesthetic awareness increase | | | | Imbalance activity of opposing groups |
| Mood improves and subjective well-being | | | | Competitive, goal-oriented |
| increases | | | | Awareness is external (focus is on reaching the |
| Self-acceptance and self-actualization increase | | | | toes, reaching the finish line, etc. |