what can yoga do for me?
thE EndOcRinE sYstEM
The endocrine system monitors and
produces hormonal secretions that
regulate body activities. When function-
ing well, this system creates a healthy
balance within the body, maintaining
the strength of the immune system and
increasing resistance to illness. The act
of stretching elongates muscles, organs
and glands, flattening and squeezing
out venous blood, leaving them ready
to accept a complete dose of freshly
oxygenated blood.
thE skELEtAL sYstEM
Weightbearing exercises stimulate
By karrie AuBuchon
bone tissue growth. Standing poses,
especially balances, create and main-
Y
oga affects us as
tain joint stability in hips, knees and
a whole. As well as
thE REspiRAtORY sYstEM
ankles, while inverted postures such as
eliminating stress,
Regular yoga practitioners have oxy- “downward-facing dog” build stability
gen uptake levels equivalent to that of in the shoulders. Twists and inversions
charging the immune moderate athletes. Principally this is keep the spine strong. At the same time
system and reducing
because yoga expands the elasticity of a yoga practice builds up the muscles
the inter-rib muscles, thus maximizing that support the skeleton.
age-related degenera-
lung capacity. This is especially the case
tion, it offers flexibil-
in forward bends (which stretch the
ity, strength and an in-
posterior part of the lungs) and pranaya-
thE MuscuLAR sYstEM
ma which open the alveoli (sacs that
creased understanding
Yoga is one of the few physical practic-
contain air in the lungs) so gas transfer
es that increases both muscular strength
of how your body works.
is improved.
and flexibility. This has a direct impact
Below is a breakdown of
on the quality of life–simple things like
getting up from a chair, walking up
the different ways yoga
thE ciRcuLAtORY sYstEM
stairs or opening a jar become effort-
affects the body.
Yoga strengthens and maintains flexibil- less. Yoga offers protection from things
ity in the heart and blood vessels. This like repetitive strain injury as it balanc-
can be seen on ultrasounds taken dur- es opposing muscles and stretches over
thE digEstiVE sYstEM
ing practice–the heart changes shape in tense ones. By maintaining a healthy,
response to different postures. Back- strong muscular system, yoga makes
Most of the time we just let our diges-
bends develop the cardiac sphincter as movement easier and protects against
tion just get on with things. But we
well as the anterior and lateral walls of strain.
can help by stretching and developing
the heart so blood flow remains strong.
muscles in the stomach and internal
Furthermore, inversions and restorative Karrie AuBuchon is the founder and
organs. The gentle stretching and com-
postures give gravity a chance to work owner of Yoga Bala located at 4639
pression of twists increases circulation
out the blood vessels in a new way, S. Clyde Morris Blvd., #105 in Port
and massages the area. It can help with
reducing formation of varicose veins, Orange. For more information call 386-
conditions like Irritable Bowel Syn-
for example, and increasing circulation 756-0022 or visit
YogaBala.com. See ad
drome (IBS) and heartburn.
to the brain. page 23.
18
www.VOFLnatural.com
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