About Yoga Therapy

WHAT IS YOGA
Yoga is a 5,000-year-old tradition authored by Patajali a Hindu Vedantist, who compiled the Yoga Sutras whose classical aim is liberation from suffering in this life. Ancient texts make it clear that mental and physical illness or lack of health are impediments to this goal. Yoga is now regarded in the West as a holistic approach to health and has been classified by the National Institute of Health as a form of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM).

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THERAPEUTIC YOGA
The benefits of Therapeutic Yoga include remedial movement education, pain management, and first-hand experience of the reality of mind/body unity as well as enhanced ability to clarify thinking, and the ability to choose new responses.  Students learn proper techniques to restore wellness.

--Improving Posture
Therapeutic Yoga is an amazing way to improve postural alignment, strength, endurance and balance. It can benefit everyone. If you are a very fit person, involved in many sports, you will find yoga to be a great way to warm up and stretch. If you have a more sedentary lifestyle, you will likely find that yoga might just fill that fitness gap you have been missing.

--Improving Quality of Life
Therapeutic Yoga has an important positive effect on quality of life. In addition to Somatic and kinesthetic awareness increase, Anxiety and depression decrease, Hostility decreases, Psychomotor Functions Improve, Cognitive function improves and people enjoy Therapeutic Yoga more than traditional forms of exercise, and exercise enjoyment is an important predictor of adherence to an exercise plan. This is particularly important considering that, on average, 50% of sedentary individuals will drop out of exercise within 6 months.

Therapeutic Yoga can play an important role in reducing the stress and frustration that results from pain and disability, while increasing positive feelings and improve coping as well as enhance immune functioning that contributes to greater overall health. In addition, many find improved energy levels, feel better about themselves, have a more upbeat approach to life, and become more relaxed.

--Physiological Benefits
Physiological benefits are many– improved cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, improved glycemic control, normalizes endocrine function, normalizes weight, slows the loss of bone mass, stabilizes your nervous system, managing stress better.

Biochemical Effects: The biochemical profile improves, indicating an antistress and antioxidant effect, important in the prevention of degenerative diseases. Decrease in glucose, sodium, total cholesterol decrease,. Increase in Hemoglobin, Lymphocyte, Throxin, Vitamin C, Serum protein, Oxytocin as well as oxygen levels in the brain.

--Benefits for Older Individuals
For many older individuals, Therapeutic Yoga can maintain or improve balance, muscle strength, and help maintain the ability to perform functional tasks such as walking, rising from a chair, climbing stairs and even carrying their own groceries. Another beneficial effect of Therapeutic Yoga training pertains to bone health. In addition to weight bearing cardiovascular exercise, Therapeutic Yoga has been shown to help fight osteoporosis.