Yoga in Healing Mind, Body, and Spirit
Yoga is not a religion but has ties to a more spiritual focus â connecting one with their inner stength.
Originating in India, yoga is around 5,000 years old. According to a 2016 study by the Yoga Alliance and Yoga Journal, “… the number of U.S. yoga practitioners has increased to over 36 million, up from 20.4 million in 2012.” Yoga’s popularity is likely due to its proven healing value.
A few of the benefits of yoga include stress and pain relief, improved flexibility and mobility, and improved cardiovascular health.
Other benefits include increased strength as well as improved concentration, memory and coordination. U.S. and international studies show yoga is effective at decreasing symptoms of depression and anxiety while increasing brain levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid. Gamma-aminobutyric acid is a neurotransmitter responsible for calming the nervous system and regulating muscle tone.
Recommendations from these studies support yoga as a beneficial complimentary approach in treating addictions, depression and anxiety.
Several studies have shown that practicing yoga twice per week, for as little as eight weeks, can improve a person’s overall well-being. Healing mind, body and spirit through yoga | TheUnion.com