Just another workout modality

Well, sort of...but not really. While yoga originated 5,000 years ago in India and has become a staple of American fitness, practicing it has reaches far beyond most all other exercise. Yoga requires little to no equipment and can be made accessible for most bodies. A growing number of health benefits include stress relief, better sleep, improved cognition and reduced back pain. Research is also showing yoga improves balance, strength, and mobility.

Yoga requires a focus in both mind and body. It is an intentional engagement. Other forms of exercise we can distract our minds from, listen to podcasts and watch shows. When you're in a yoga class, you're focused on the instructor's cues, body alignment and your breathing. Because of the emphasis of connecting mind and body, yoga may lead to greater mental health benefits. 

Some studies suggest yoga can reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. Additional studies found that yoga may offer benefits to cognitive function among people 60 and older because it aims to improve physical skills and to enhance the ability to focus and to neutralize external mental stimulation. Dr Gothe, the director of the Exercise Psychology Lb at the University of Illinois has studied the brains of people who have been practicing yoga for a long time. The regions of the brain that are responsible for decision making and problem solving are better developed.

Over time, our yoga practice brings our often scattered senses into one sharpening focus, and tuning our physical and mental health for integration in wellness.

Join me,
Jill🤸🏻‍♀️