by Sucharita Ray

Created on: August 21, 2009   Last Updated: August 22, 2009

Yoga originating from the Sanskrit word Yug means to bind, to join, to attach and yoke. This in its practice typically translates to the union of the body, mind and soul. This holistic approach to well-being that yoga adopts leads to its endless health benefits.

Yoga offers postures or asanas that can work every joint, muscle, ligament and tendon of the body. When done together, in the correct order and under knowledgeable guidance, these seemingly unrelated postures work in harmony to massage all the internal glands and organs of the body in a thorough manner. This keeps away disease.

HEART

According to recent research from the Yale University School of Medicine, practicing yoga for an hour and a half three times a week can make your heart healthier in just six weeks. Various yoga postures and controlled breathing techniques force higher oxygen absorption in the blood within a shorter time. This ensures supply of richer blood to your cardiovascular muscles thereby helping combat coronary artery disease and keeping the heart healthy in general. Sustained yoga practice also lowers cholesterol through increased blood circulation and burning fat.

Asanas that are excellent for the heart include the mountain, warrior, triangle and lotus poses. The controlled breathing technique of Kapalbhatti also helps keep the heart healthy.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

The structured breathing exercises like alternate nostril breathing help clear the nasal passages which reduces sinusitis and allergy symptoms. Yoga lays much emphasis on complete breathing and uses the entire upper body for it. This helps reduce the respiratory rate that indicates better functioning of your lungs.

Raised legs, bridge, wheel, cobra and mountain poses also help open the thoracic cavity.

SPINE AND CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Successive asanas in a solid yoga routine reverses the muscular stretches of the previous ones. Yoga uses your own body weight for strength training. These two factors increase spinal flexibility and ensure brilliant spinal health. Yoga reduces spinal compression and helps overall body alignment to reduce back pain.

Postures known to reduce lower back pain include pigeon and cobra poses. The half plough, spinal twist, wheel, bow, mountain poses are recommended for overall spinal health. The standing wheel pose in particular is known to correct mild scoliosis or curving of the spine. Yoga has a specific group of postures, like Bramha's pose, specially designed to stretch and tone

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