Skip to main content

The Benefits of Yoga

From Sharp Health News, a publication of Sharp HealthCare

Yoga is packed with benefits for overall health — and is especially beneficial for your heart health. Taking longer, smoother and more controlled breaths can help lower blood pressure, calm the nervous system and even relieve stress.

Several studies have shown yoga:

  • Reduces blood pressure
  • Promotes weight loss and management
  • Increases flexibility, strength and balance
  • Aids sleep
  • Boosts your mood and energy
  • Relieves back pain and arthritis symptoms

To invert — or position yourself with your head below your heart — can promote blood flow and calm the mind. There are several restorative poses that increase blood circulation in a gentle way, such as downward-facing dog, standing forward folds, legs up the wall and happy baby:

Experts agree, yoga nurtures the heart, as well as the mind, body and soul. It is more than exercise. It is a way of life that cultivates mindfulness, health and well-being.

The VEBA Resource Center offers Yin Yoga classes. Yin Yoga is a slow-paced style of yoga, in which poses are held for two to five minutes. Yin Yoga allows you to get deeper than the superficial muscular tissues by targeting connective tissues, such as ligaments, joints and bones. Yin Yoga is a great way to recharge and give back to your body, mind and spirit. Check out our calendar to sign up for an upcoming class.

Los beneficios del yoga

Por Sharp Health News, una publicación de Sharp HealthCare

El yoga está colmado de beneficios para la salud en general, y es especialmente beneficioso para la salud del corazón. Respirar de forma más prolongada, suave y controlada puede ayudar a reducir la presión arterial, calmar el sistema nervioso e incluso aliviar el estrés.

Varios estudios han demostrado que el yoga:

  • Reduce la presión arterial
  • Promueve la pérdida y el control del peso
  • Aumenta la flexibilidad, la fuerza y el equilibrio
  • Ayuda a dormir
  • Mejora su estado de ánimo y energía
  • Alivia el dolor de espalda y los síntomas de la artritis

Invertirse o colocarse con la cabeza debajo del corazón, puede promover el flujo sanguíneo y calmar la mente. Hay varias posturas restauradoras que aumentan la circulación sanguínea de una manera suave, como el perro boca abajo, los pliegues hacia adelante, las piernas en la pared y el bebé feliz:

Los expertos están de acuerdo, el yoga nutre el corazón, así como la mente, el cuerpo y el alma. Es más que ejercicio. Es una forma de vida que cultiva la atención plena, la salud y el bienestar.

VEBA Resource Center ofrece clases de Yin Yoga. Yin Yoga es un estilo de yoga de ritmo lento, en el que las posturas se mantienen de dos a cinco minutos. Yin Yoga te permite profundizar más que los tejidos musculares superficiales al enfocarte en los tejidos conectivos, como los ligamentos, las articulaciones y los huesos. Yin Yoga es una excelente manera de recargar y retribuir a su cuerpo, mente y espíritu. Consulte nuestro calendario para inscribirse en la próxima clase.

3 Benefits of Morning Yoga

From Sharp Health News, a publication of Sharp HealthCare

Looking for a peaceful way to wake up and get your body moving? Look no further than morning yoga.

Morning yoga is packed with benefits that can help improve both your physical and mental well-being and sets the tone of mindfulness, setting you up for success for the rest of your day.

Here are 3 benefits of morning yoga:

It awakens the mind and body.

Waking up with yoga can help keep the mind clear, sharp and present. By focusing on your breath and each pose, yoga can help you mentally declutter, organize your thoughts and be more mindful while completing your daily tasks.

It has many long-term physical benefits.

Yoga moves the spine and neck in all six directions, increases flexibility, improves range of motion and creates a better mind-body connection. It also helps lower blood pressure, increases energy, aids in sleep, boosts your mood and staves off the effects of aging by keeping you strong and agile.

It can be practiced anywhere.

While getting up early to go to a yoga studio can be challenging, thanks to online classes, you don’t have to leave home.

The VEBA Resource Center offers Yin Yoga Classes. Yin Yoga is a slow-paced style of yoga, in which poses are held for two to five minutes, allowing you to get deeper than the superficial muscular tissues. Yin yoga is a great way to recharge and give back to your body, mind and spirit. Check out our calendar to sign up for an upcoming class.

Yoga is for Everyone

The VEBA Resource Center (VRC) appreciates yoga as a lifestyle that promotes a holistic wellness and healing, for mind, body, and soul. We know how effective and nourishing a yoga practice can be, and offer a variety of yoga classes each week. VRC Well-Being Coach and certified Yin Yoga Teacher, Pilar Murillo, explains how yoga helps and heals.

“We live in such a fast-paced society that we often lose connection to ourselves and each other. Yoga helps us stop. Pay attention. Breathe. Get in touch with our feelings and calm our thoughts. We can’t really be there for others if we aren’t taking care of ourselves.”

In fact, the word ‘yoga,’ from Sanskrit, means ‘to join, to yoke, or unite,’ as in the union of body and mind – and connection to one another. Pilar practices and teaches various forms of yoga but her favorite is Yin Yoga — a slower, more deliberate practice that concentrates on ligaments and joints along with muscles. The most attractive aspect for Pilar is the melding of science with mind, body, and spirit.

“This style of yoga gives the practitioner the time and space to connect with themselves, explore what they’re feeling and how they’re breathing. And when you take this extra time to connect with your body, your mind follows.”

Pilar knows how intimidating the world of nutrition, exercise, and wellness can be — especially when you’re starting a new program. She is passionate about helping VEBA Members navigate their unique path.

“Each client has a different journey and I’m a guide, helping to find the right class that will act as an entry point for them. There are many ways to get into yoga (and better health). Some start with mindfulness classes; others begin with breathing groups; and some jump right into yoga. No single way is best.”

Though its roots are in Hinduism, yoga does not adhere to or promote any particular religion, belief system, country, or community. It is a way of life and no matter your age, faith, gender, belief system, or ethnicity, yoga is meant to be shared.

“In my experience, when it comes to the spiritual side of yoga, everyone finds their own way, in their own time. I’m here to help raise awareness and encourage that spark, that sense of belonging.”

Additional resources: