The hassles and struggles of life can beat the best of us down. Stress and lack of time to take care of ourselves can wreak slow havoc on our immune systems, our memory, our mood, and our sense of well-being.
Remembering not to forget, keeping track of busy work schedules, and managing our home life takes a toll on our mental elasticity. Cast yourself back to your childhood, when things were simpler and the worries were few. Enjoyment of simple pleasures was richer, and the world seemed a much safer place.
It’s like highway robbery, living life with every twist and turn attempting to rob us of perspective, peace, and security.
Even “normal” events we face day in and day out can lead to high blood pressure, increase our risk of developing cancer, depress our immune systems’ ability to fight infections, and even make us gain weight. Someone cutting you off in traffic, a long grocery line when you’re trying to arrive home on time, or finding the house a mess and the kids arguing as soon as you step in the door can release stress hormones that tamp down your immune system.
If you’re feeling a little blue, symptoms of depression and fatigue can make doing even small things seem much more difficult than when you are in a different state of mind.
That’s why you need a yoga class right now.
With thousands of scientific articles published on all the many varied and powerful health benefits of yoga, it’s hard to argue that you don’t need to take a class. Most likely you need one right now.
Science has demonstrated time and time again the benefits of yoga can be immediate, and if yoga is continued, can provide major life changing benefits. Even just assuming the postures can help, according to one study published in Psychology, Health & Medicine Journal. This article showed that a single pose called asana – which is an upright, seated position – “may possess depressive symptom reduction benefits, particularly as life stressors increase.1”
When it comes to cancer, an article published in the journal Current Oncology Report shares:
“Low-intensity forms of yoga, specifically gentle hatha and restorative, are feasible, safe, and effective for treating sleep disruption, cancer-related fatigue, cognitive impairment, psychosocial distress, and musculoskeletal symptoms in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation and cancer survivors.2”
Here are just a few other conditions that are treated and improved with the practice of yoga.
COPD – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease3
Cancer – Prevention, Treatment, and Post-Treatment2
Mood Disorders – Anxiety & Depression 1,4
RLS – Restless Leg Syndrome5
Diabetes Type 2 Blood Glucose Control6
High Blood Pressure7, 13
Weight Loss8
Asthma9
Increased Energy10
Reduced Inflammation10
Immune System Function11
Joint Disorders12
MS – Multiple Sclerosis Symptom Management14
Whether or not you have any of the above conditions, the practice of yoga has such dramatic positive effects on your body, your mood, and your overall health that you don’t want to wait another moment to get into class. Just bring yourself, an open mind, and some relaxed clothing.
Barriers to taking your first yoga class are often easily addressed by a simple phone call to our studio. Talk with studio owner, Penny, to determine what your needs are and how yoga has the ability to change your life. Call 808-284-7548 or email us today! Email: info@229yoga.com
References:
Franklin RA, Butler MP, Bentley JA. The physical postures of yoga practices may protect against depressive symptoms, even as life stressors increase: a moderation analysis. Psychol Health Med. 2018 Jan 8:1-10. doi: 10.1080/13548506.2017.1420206. [Epub ahead of print]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29308657
Lin PJ, Peppone LJ, Janelsins MC, Mohile SG, Kamen CS. Yoga for the Management of Cancer Treatment-Related Toxicities. Curr Oncol Rep. 2018 Feb 1;20(1):5. doi: 10.1007/s11912-018-0657-2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29388071
Li C, Liu Y, Ji Y, Xie L, Hou Z. Efficacy of yoga training in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2018 Feb;30:33-37. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2017.11.006. Epub 2017 Nov 11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29389476
Laird KT, Paholpak P, Roman M, Rahi B, Lavretsky H. Mind-Body Therapies for Late-Life Mental and Cognitive Health. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2018 Jan 25;20(1):2. doi: 10.1007/s11920-018-0864-4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29372339.
Xu XM, Liu Y, Jia SY, Dong MX, Cao D, Wei YD. Complementary and alternative therapies for restless legs syndrome: An evidence-based systematic review. Sleep Med Rev. 2017 Jun 19. pii: S1087-0792(17)30075-8. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2017.06.003. [Epub ahead of print]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28886918.
Singh VP, Khandelwal B, Sherpa NT. Psycho-neuro-endocrine-immune mechanisms of action of yoga in type II diabetes. Anc Sci Life. 2015 Jul-Sep;35(1):12-7. doi: 10.4103/0257-7941.165623. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26600662.
Chauhan A, Semwal DK, Mishra SP, Semwal RB. Yoga Practice Improves the Body Mass Index and Blood Pressure: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Yoga. 2017 May-Aug;10(2):103-106. doi: 10.4103/ijoy.IJOY_46_16. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28546682.
Lauche R, Langhorst J, Lee MS, Dobos G, Cramer H. A systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of yoga on weight-related outcomes. Prev Med. 2016 Jun;87:213-232. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2016.03.013. Epub 2016 Apr 4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27058944.
Yang ZY, Zhong HB, Mao C, Yuan JQ, Huang YF, Wu XY, Gao YM, Tang JL. Yoga for asthma. Sao Paulo Med J. 2016 Jul-Aug;134(4):368. doi: 10.1590/1516-3180.20161344T2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27557146.
Bhasin MK, Dusek JA, Chang BH, Joseph MG, Denninger JW, Fricchione GL, Benson H, Libermann TA.Relaxation response induces temporal transcriptome changes in energy metabolism, insulin secretion and inflammatory pathways. PLoS One. 2013 May 1;8(5):e62817. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062817. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23650531.
Chen PJ, Yang L, Chou CC, Li CC, Chang YC, Liaw JJ6. Effects of prenatal yoga on women's stress and immune function across pregnancy: A randomized controlled trial. Complement Ther Med. 2017 Apr;31:109-117. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2017.03.003. Epub 2017 Mar 7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28434463.
Balaji PA, Varne SR, Ali SS. Physiological effects of yogic practices and transcendental meditation in health and disease. N Am J Med Sci. 2012 Oct;4(10):442-8. doi: 10.4103/1947-2714.101980. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23112963
Wong AP, Kassab YW, Mohamed AL, Abdul Qader AM. Review: Beyond conventional therapies: Complementary and alternative medicine in the management of hypertension: An evidence-based review. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2018 Jan;31(1):237-244. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29348109.
Rogers KA, MacDonald M. Therapeutic Yoga: Symptom Management for Multiple Sclerosis. J Altern Complement Med. 2015 Nov;21(11):655-9. doi: 10.1089/acm.2015.0015. Epub 2015 Aug 13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26270955.