by Leann Zotis

Created on: January 23, 2009   Last Updated: November 27, 2010

The practice of yoga has been in existence since the earliest recorded history. Yoga practitioners strive to achieve a union of body, mind and spirit. It's no wonder then, for the devoted and successful practitioner, yoga can provide excellent mental and physical health benefits.

Everyone can benefit from the practice of yoga, however, women may gain particular advantages from it.  Five basic elements comprise the yoga routine: proper breathing, proper movements, relaxation, healthy diet, and a positive outlook and meditation. The movements, carried out in slow, exact motions, ease tense muscles, provide body tone and increase flexibility.

As you can imagine, perfecting these elements can lead to improved health, both physically and mentally. Yoga rituals improve blood flow and move oxygen throughout the body. This contributes to flushing toxins and waste products from the system. Proper breathing during yoga leads to increased energy and removes stale air from the lungs.

Yoga is a great stress reliever. By removing oneself from the everyday stresses and stains of life, even for the brief period of time taken up by the yoga routines, negative emotions, fears and unmanageable problems are put aside briefly and the body and mind are taken to a relaxing plane that allows for a rebirth and rejuvenation of the spirit.

Yoga is well known for its power in overcoming insomnia. The relaxation techniques and deep breathing help to rid the mind of the clutter that often chases sleep away.

Regular yoga practice reduces waste products in the blood stream, thereby lowering the bad cholesterol in the blood stream. Yoga relieves muscle cramps and reduces headaches. The breathing techniques practiced during yoga also help to relieve the symptoms of asthma.

Yoga is particularly beneficial to women during pregnancy by gently stretching sore muscles and working the body in a safe, non-violent exercise pattern. Non-pregnant women benefit from yoga's ability to ease menstrual cramps and the body aches that often accompany them. Yoga helps post-menopausal women by alleviating insomnia, depression, hot flashes and mood swings.

Stress is a major factor in heart disease. Women, in particular, can carry the negative effects of stress around in their bodies, undetected for years. Yoga can help women win the battle against stress.

Yoga therapy is useful in fighting eating disorders, far more common in women than in men. The mastery techniques gained in yoga help the practitioner gain control and a sense of power over their minds and bodies.

Yoga strengthens the skeletal system and so it is a good method for fighting osteoporosis which can affect more than half of all women in their lifetimes.

Yoga is far more than a simple series of physical movements.  It will benefit anyone willing to devote the time and energy to take control of their body, mind and spirit through the study of these gentle, yet powerful, movements. 

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