Читать книгу 20 MINUTES TO MASTER ... YOGA - Cheryl Isaacson - Страница 11
ОглавлениеCHAPTER 3
All the major systems of the body are influenced by regular Hatha yoga practice.
IT STRETCHES THE MUSCLES …
Yoga postures involve deep stretching movements – even muscles you didn’t know you had are involved. But unlike other forms of exercise, the muscles are given a gentle, controlled stretch, without any strain, which means they can extend gradually and safely. And once your muscles gain flexibility, they become stronger and better-toned.
IT DELAYS THE AGEING PROCESS …
Regular practice delays the ageing process by keeping muscles and ligaments moving. Although you may experience muscular aches and pains after a yoga session, these will soon wear off, leaving you refreshed. Yoga should never leave you feeling jumpy or exhausted.
IT LOOSENS AND STRENGTHENS THE SPINE …
As the muscles loosen and stretch, so do the ligaments which hold the spine in place. Instead of being held rigidly, the bones become free to move back into a more natural alignment. This is especially true of the spinal vertebrae, as many of the yoga postures work directly on the spinal column. The postures are also preventative, and help guard against slipped discs.
IT IMPROVES CIRCULATION …
Your circulatory system improves through regular, deep breathing. With yoga you become more aware of your breath, and will start to use your lungs fully. Oxygenated blood is pumped efficiently to all the organs, revitalizing them and carrying away toxins. The inverted postures help blood circulation, reversing the blood flow, and also improve lymph drainage.
IT HELPS DIGESTION …
The digestive system is helped by the internal massaging action which some of the postures perform on the organs. Twisting postures, and those which involve the back bending forwards and backwards, will help stimulate the digestive organs. The improved circulatory process allows cleansing blood supply to reach the stomach and intestines.
IT CALMS THE NERVES …
The nervous and endocrine systems are also affected. Yoga’s concentration on the spine, through which the major nerve pathways flow, helps to control nervous energy. Regular yoga practice is well known for reducing anxiety and panic states.
IT BALANCES HORMONES AND EMOTIONS …
Many people find that hormonal irregularities, such as menstrual problems, right themselves. Hyperactivity and lethargy can be overcome and emotions become more stable through doing yoga.
AND THAT’S NOT ALL …
Anyone who practises long enough will soon find changes taking place which are quite subtle. They will begin to notice improvements in their health, energy and mental state, becoming calmer and more detached from the worries of daily life. They feel clearer, more directed and more purposeful.
IT HELPS CAST OFF BAD HABITS …
Yoga can also help you develop a growing awareness and sensitivity. Once your inner harmony starts to grow, bad habits are much easier to cast off. When you are more in touch with yourself, you no longer need to smoke, drink so much alcohol, or eat the things you know are bad for you. Yoga also helps you develop qualities such as discipline, patience and intelligence.
AND FINALLY …
Yoga can give you a natural high, by helping you to tap into a higher consciousness. However, rather than this altered state being the temporary result of a substance you have taken, likely to let you down to normal reality with a bump, this state can stay with you. And, while drugs and other methods can cause us to become dangerously out of touch with normal reality, with yoga you will remain stable.
