Ready to try yoga?
Yoga can help reduce stress and enhance focus
Are you considering starting a yoga program to reduce everyday stress or put less pressure on your joints and muscles? Picking up a new workout routine can be daunting and yoga is no different, with nearly 100 different forms out there on the market. A few styles of yoga include Hatha, a series of basic movements and breathing and Power, a faster workout that builds muscle tone and agility. There is a yoga style and intensity level that fits all shapes and sizes.
To get started, your best bet is to find a friend, family member, neighbor or co-worker that has practiced yoga and try to go with them on your first day. Many yoga practitioners find fulfillment in the community that yoga builds by bringing people together from different walks of life. Grab a friend or colleague and try something new! Alternatively, look for a yoga studio that has introductory or beginner classes with trained staff who practice low-intensity styles.
Yoga has been proven to have numerous immediate and long-lasting health benefits for the mind, body and soul. Some of which include:
- A University of Illinois study showed that mere minutes of yoga (only 20 minutes) can improve brain function by enhancing focus and sharpening memory.
- In another study, conducted by Boston University in 2010, 12 weeks of yoga helped to reduce anxiety and increase gamma-aminobutyric (GABA) levels in the brain.
- And, after years of practicing yoga, is has been demonstrated to help people maintain a healthy weight, according to researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
Cambridge Health Alliance has a great yoga program for patients and employees with classes in Malden, Cambridge and Somerville. Click here to check out the schedule. Classes can fit around your schedule with availability in the morning, afternoon and early evening.
If you are a CHA patient and interested in yoga, speak with your primary care physician to learn more about the program first. Your initial class is free!
Disclaimer
This articles provide general information for educational purposes only. The information provided in this article, or through linkages to other sites, is not a substitute for medical or professional care, and you should not use the information in place of a visit, call consultation or the advice of your physician or other healthcare provider.