“You Can Do Yoga!”

By:  Sangeeta Prasad Benbow

People often say to me “ I can’t do yoga because I’m not flexible.”  My response is that you don’t have to be flexible to take yoga; in fact, yoga will improve your flexibility!  Yoga provides a myriad of physical and mental benefits but simply, in today’s stressful world, it makes us feel better - body and mind.

Among the 20 million Americans who practice yoga are pre-schoolers, teens, seniors, athletes, entertainers, pre- and post-natal moms, stressed out parents and business executives.
 
Medical research and anecdotal evidence show that yoga can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, arthritis, low back pain, high blood pressure, carpal tunnel syndrome, insomnia, chronic fatigue and chronic pain.  It makes us more fit for everyday activities and sports.  It can reduce the risk of injury and shorten recovery-time from an injury.   It’s a great complement to cardio, weight training and Pilates!

Yoga’s physical work aligns our muscular-skeletal systems and improves muscle tone, flexibility, strength, stamina, balance, and joint range-of-motion.  Through breathwork and guided relaxation, it reduces stress and tension, enhances concentration and creates a sense of well-being and calm.  Yoga improves respiratory and circulatory function through breathwork and the practice of flowing and holding poses.  It boosts self-esteem and self-confidence when we feel and see changes in our body. 
Yoga originated in India about 5,000 years ago and the word itself comes from the ancient Sanskrit word “yuj” or “yoke” (to join or unite) our body, breath and mind.  Mindfulness (attention to what we’re doing and feeling) combined with focused breathing, and linking breath to pose are crucial as they are the pathways for oxygen to most efficiently work its way throughout our system.  We feel the dynamic and stabilizing forces of both strength and grace within us.  Yoga also emphasizes compassion, contentment and balance in our daily lives.  It asks us to slow down for a while.
 
There’s a style of yoga for everyone.  A great place to start is a Gentle Stretch class.  If you like to move and sweat, try a Flow or “Vinyasa” class.  If it’s strength and endurance you’re seeking, how about Power or Ashtanga yoga?  If you want precision and alignment, there’s Iyengar style.  Many classes combine elements of all these styles.  Yoga can be adapted for various fitness levels and injuries.  So check with your doctor and give it a try.  Bring a positive attitude and enjoy!  And remember,  just breathe….

Note:  Sangeeta is a certified Yoga Instructor at the Murray Hill Health & Racquet Club, 593 Central Ave, New Providence, a full service health club with a full series of mind, body, cardio and strength classes, as well as a youth fitness program.  For more information please call 908-665-1141.