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.

Rise and Shine with 3 Morning Stretches

From Sharp Health News, a publication of Sharp HealthCare

A morning stretch routine is a great way to jump-start your day. You will get your circulation going, focus your mind and gently wake up your body.

Seated upward stretch. Upward stretches are a great way to wake up your whole body and get the blood flowing.

  • Sit cross-legged on the floor.
  • Interlace your fingers and raise your hands above your head, palms facing upward.
  • Elongate your spine and feel the stretch in your rib cage and arms.
  • Take a few deep breaths as you reach from both sides of your torso.
  • Relax and repeat one more time.

Forward fold. The forward fold aims to relieve tension from the back and increase the flexibility of the hamstrings and calf muscles.

  • Sit on the floor with your legs out straight.
  • Bring your arms over your head.
  • Begin to fold forward with your arms and shoulders, followed by your back and core.
  • Lower your torso as low as you can, and once you find a comfortable depth, relax your shoulders and stay in the pose for 20 to 30 seconds.
  • Slowly raise your torso back up to the starting position.

Standing half-moon. This lateral side stretch opens up the side of the body, including the rib cage.

  • While standing, lift up your arms toward the sky, interlacing your fingers.
  • Stretch upward, then slowly over to the right, grounding through your feet as you reach out.
  • Take three deep breaths.
  • Relax and slowly move your bent torso back to center
  • Repeat on the other side

The VEBA Resource Center offers Full Body Stretch Classes. Join the VRC team for a class that will leave you feeling relaxed, restored and maybe even standing up a bit straighter. Check out our calendar to sign up for an upcoming class.

Best Yoga Poses for Heart Health

From Sharp Health News, a publication of Sharp HealthCare

Yoga is packed with benefits for overall health — including your heart’s health. Taking longer, smoother and more controlled breaths can help lower blood pressure, calm the nervous system and even relieve stress, making yoga a great practice for everyone, including those with cardiovascular disease.

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.

Then, there are more intense, strengthening inversions — handstands, forearm stands and crow pose — that require supporting your body weight on either your hands or forearms.

These postures require — and build — a lot of body strength and endurance. Both the restorative and strengthening inversions benefit the heart and can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The VEBA Resource Center offers Sunrise Yoga Classes. Join this early morning yoga class, perfect for all levels, to help you start your day grounded, centered and focused. Check out our calendar to sign up for an upcoming class.