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WHY OUR BODY LOVES YOGA Gentle Poses Foster Flexibility
by Marlaina Donato A
lthough media coverage of yoga oſten highlights advanced yoga poses, the practice is not reserved solely for super-flexible folks. Benefits are available to everyone of any age or physical type. “Many people assume that yoga requires the ability to be
a contortionist. Yoga is an internal process and can meet us wherever we are,” says yoga therapist Kimberly Carson, of Mindful Yoga Works, in Portland, Oregon. Springing from the theory that half of our capacity to become more flexible lies less in the muscles than in the nervous system, this calming practice helps the body release tension and achieve a suppler state.
Why it Works Yoga poses don’t need to be intense to have a significant effect. Gentle, regular practice can improve range of motion, increase muscle strength and promote circulation of the synovial fluid sur- rounding joints that supplies oxygen and nutrients to cartilage. “Basic yoga is just as beneficial as more advanced ideas of
yoga, especially in terms of body awareness,” says Piper Abbott, an integrative yoga therapist and teacher who owns Burlington Yoga, in Burlington, Vermont. “Where our attention goes, energy flows. When we’re holding a posture and directing this focused awareness into the sensation of a stretch, we’re learning to read our body.” Agility is usually associated with muscles and joints, but
underlying flexibility goes deep to further enhance wellness. Stiff muscles oſten go hand-in-hand with stiff arteries, for example, but
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appropriate exercise can have a positive effect there, too. According to studies by physical therapist Miriam Cortez-
Cooper, Ph.D., and her colleagues during her tenure at the University of Texas at Austin, stretching exercises performed for 11 weeks improved flexibility of the carotid artery—the main vessel that transports blood to the brain—by 23 percent. Such an increase did not result from aerobic exercise or strength training.
Every Body Can Benefit “Yoga is truly for any and every body. Flexibility or a lack thereof can be found in anatomies of any shape. Many options for poses exist to help you find the version that works best for you. Yoga props such as blocks and straps can provide support to encourage experimenting while ensuring a safe approach,” says Anna Guest- Jelley, CEO of Curvy Yoga, in Portland, Oregon. She loves shar- ing the value of yoga with people of all sizes. “What’s important is working wherever you are within your current range of motion, so your body can open to new movements appropriately.” Maintaining a regular practice offers an opportunity for indi-
viduals living with chronic pain or undergoing cancer treatment to feel more at ease. “Even in cases of severe fibromyalgia, some move- ment is better than none, and can foster better sleep. Restorative sleep can help to heal microtears in muscles, which can be common. Non-goal-oriented yoga also offers layers of benefits for cancer patients, both supporting physical function, as well as offering a way
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