Yoga: An exercise for every body and mind

Yoga has so many health benefits for those who practice regularly. It helps you get fit for daily life, prevents or eases pain and injury, and gives you self-reliance and self-esteem.

To celebrate National Yoga Awareness Month, we’re shining light on what yoga is and how it might help your overall wellness.

What is yoga?

Yoga is a practice that combines stretches and poses with breathing techniques. It has its roots in ancient India, explains Anna Beggs, yoga teacher and certified personal trainer at East Jefferson General Hospital's Wellness Center.

“It was developed as a way to make the body healthy and comfortable enough to allow the mind to meditate,” she says.

There are many kinds of yoga. Some yoga styles are intensive and vigorous while others are more relaxing and meditative.

“Many people have told me they ‘can’t do yoga,’ mainly because they ‘aren’t flexible enough,’” Anna shares. “But the beauty of yoga is that you are already enough to join in. It’s not about touching your toes or standing on your head. It’s about self-care and self-acceptance. Yoga is the ultimate judgment-free zone.”

The many benefits of yoga

From improving strength and flexibility to making you feel more focused and alert, yoga offers tons of benefits. Though yoga can challenge people who are fit, it’s really the perfect exercise for those who haven’t been active in a while or who have certain health conditions, such as arthritis or osteoporosis.

“Yoga can be highly therapeutic in correcting unhealthy movement patterns that develop over a lifetime of being busy in our modern world,” Anna shares. “If you work at a desk or on your feet, it’s common to have misalignments in your body. Take the example of rounding in the upper back, called kyphosis. Many yoga postures work to neutralize this unhealthy position to improve your posture and thereby your quality of life.”

Practicing yoga regularly often helps you get stronger and more flexible, so it’s easier to do other physical activities, whether it’s dancing, walking, or swimming.

Helps with certain health conditions

Yoga has been found to help with these health conditions:

• Arthritis
• Depression
• Difficulty breathing
• Headaches
• High blood pressure
• Limited mobility
• Lower back pain
• Osteoporosis
• Poor blood circulation
• Tension or stress

Supports flexibility and physical health

A regular yoga practice, three or four days per week, can improve how well you move in all aspects of daily life. Physically, yoga can help you:

• Develop body awareness: Yoga requires you to use specific muscles as you stretch into each pose. Focusing on precise areas of the body tells you more about its strengths and weaknesses.
• Gain strength and stamina: More vigorous styles of yoga help you get stronger, so you can be active for longer.
• Improve balance and stability: Balancing poses require you to use your core muscles. Strengthening your core can improve your overall stability and decrease risk of falls.
• Improve posture: Yoga poses strengthen and open tight areas of the body, such as the shoulders and upper back muscles. Increased strength in the back and shoulders means better posture throughout your day.
• Reduce your risk for injury: Each yoga pose targets muscles that increase flexibility, which reduces injury risk.

Strengthens the mind body connection

Yoga benefits your physical body. But it also strengthens your mind to improve mental health.

“The word ‘yoga’ comes from the Sanskrit root word ‘yuj’ which means to unite or tie together,” explains Anna. “Yoga means to unite the mind, body, and spirit. Through physical poses and meditative breathing, you realign yourself, you find the optimal blueprint in your body, and when you feel physically free, the mind can relax a little.”

A relaxed mind means lower stress levels. When you’re focused on breathing in a pose, you can be physically and mentally present.

Find a yoga class near you

Yoga classes are everywhere in New Orleans. To find a class, check with your local community centers, such as the YMCA, or look at nearby gyms, dance studios, and health clubs. Many yoga studios offer specials or even a free first class for new students.

The Wellness Center at East Jefferson General Hospital offers beginner, intermediate, and advanced yoga classes for all levels. Check out our membership options to see if it fits for your mind and body wellness needs. 

Be sure to choose a class with an experienced teacher. Let them know about any health conditions you have, including high blood pressure. Trained teachers know which poses are best and which poses to avoid.

Before you begin yoga or another kind of exercise, it’s always best to talk to your primary care provider. They know you and your health best and can make sure yoga is right for you. They also may be able to recommend a class or instructor for your specific needs.

Looking for a new doctor? Find a primary care provider at LCMC Health.