PHYSICAL THERAPY

Yoga has innumerable beneficial effects on the body and it's functioning. Based on these effects, practices can be selected to enhance and restore areas in the body where we are deficient. Increasingly we come into balance on all levels. A good place to begin is with the spine and breath. All systems converge in the spine - it is the "staff" of the body, as well as the central channel through which the nerves pass. And beyond the physical body, yoga is based on the energy system - prana - which is the very life force that flows through the spine.

Yoga massages the muscles: relieving chronic pain and tension, reducing fatigue, improving flexibility, and toning/strengthening the muscles as well as connective tissue.

Yoga stimulates circulation of all of the fluids: blood, the lymphatic system, and the very fluids that are within and surround each cell of the body. This improved circulation lessens stress on the heart, lowers blood pressure, and promotes healthy metabolism of each cell. It thins the blood and increases the number of red blood cells. Improved lymphatic drainage boosts immunity and enhances detoxification. Circulation to the skin improves as well.

Skeletal structure improves: joints become aligned increasing their range of motion, as well as being supported by the (newly toned) muscles. Pain in the joints and especially the back may decrease. Bone density increases through weight bearing. Symptoms of arthritis can diminish. Posture improves dramatically. Movement is more efficient and requires less effort. Balance and kinesthetic awareness improve.

The respiratory system functions better as we learn proper breathing: tensions that obstruct the breath are released, the volume of air we breathe increases, exchange of waste products improves, cellular respiration improves.

Digestion/elimination improve: the entire digestive system is massaged, stress is relieved, and dietary changes contribute to better digestion.

Organs and glands are continually squeezed and massaged: this helps to regulate their functioning. In the case of the heart it becomes stronger even as it's work load lessens. The resting heart rate lowers. Improved circulation transports hormones released by the endocrine system. Yoga can lower blood sugar levels as well.

The nervous system comes into balance as stress is relieved: the entire practice shifts us from the stress response to the relaxation response. The mind quiets, concentration and alertness improve, mood become more positive.

Immune function improves: as the body functions more optimally, we are better able to fight off disease and infection.

We become more whole - body, mind, and spirit.

examples:

arm balances such as plank posture strengthen the upper body

warrior postures strengthen the legs

forward bends such as head-to-knee posture stretch the hamstring muscles improving posture and may reduce low back pain

sun salutations - when done vigorously - increase circulation throughout the body, build cardiovascular endurance and assist lymphatic drainage

inversions such as shoulderstand promote circulation in the legs, helping to manage conditions like diabetes and varicose veins

hip openers such as the lunge and the split stretch and strengthen the muscles around the hips allowing for better posture and body mechanics

shoulder openers such as down dog and the top part of cowface relieve discomfort in the neck and allow greater range of motion of the arms

both groups reduce wear and tear on the joints

twisting postures and side bends such as gate and triangle posture open the ribs and allow more space for breathing

backbends such as cobra and camel posture open the upper chest to unlock restrictions on the breath

pranayama can increase breath capacity and teach breath control helping to manage conditions like asthma

inversions such as headstand can help relieve digestive problems

postures where the abdomen is compressed such as reclining hero and bow posture do the same

twisting postures squeeze and soak the organs and glands with fluids, providing them with nutrients and helping the elimination of waste products

pranayama helps to balance the nervous system

meditation quiets the mind and reduces the stress response

restorative postures such as reclining cobbler pose are restful and help to relieve tension

restorative postures such as lying with legs extended up the wall leave us rested, more energized and balanced, boosting the immune system

increased circulation through a well-rounded practice helps to detoxify our systems and boost immune function

meditation lowers stress and anxiety reducing the burden they place on the immune system


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		Yoga has innumerable beneficial effects on the body and it's functioning. Based on these effects, practices can be selected to enhance and restore areas in the body where we are deficient. Increasingly we come into balance on all levels. A good place to begin is with the spine and breath. All systems converge in the spine - it is the "staff" of the body, as well as the central channel through which the nerves pass. And beyond the physical body, yoga is based on the energy system - prana - which is the very life force that flows through the spine. *Yoga massages the muscles: relieving chronic pain and tension, reducing fatigue, improving flexibility, and toning/strengthening the muscles as well as connective tissue.* Yoga stimulates circulation of all of the fluids: blood, the lymphatic system, and the very fluids that are within and surround each cell of the body. This improved circulation lessens stress on the heart, lowers blood pressure, and promotes healthy metabolism of each cell. It thins the blood and increases the number of red blood cells. Improved lymphatic drainage boosts immunity and enhances detoxification. Circulation to the skin improves as well. Skeletal structure improves: joints become aligned increasing their range of motion, as well as being supported by the (newly toned) muscles. Pain in the joints and especially the back may decrease. Bone density increases through weight bearing. Symptoms of arthritis can diminish. Posture improves dramatically. Movement is more efficient and requires less effort. Balance and kinesthetic awareness improve. The respiratory system functions better as we learn proper breathing: tensions that obstruct the breath are released, the volume of air we breathe increases, exchange of waste products improves, cellular respiration improves. *Digestion/elimination improve: the entire digestive system is massaged, stress is relieved, and dietary changes contribute to better digestion.* Organs and glands are continually squeezed and massaged: this helps to regulate their functioning. In the case of the heart it becomes stronger even as it's work load lessens. The resting heart rate lowers. Improved circulation transports hormones released by the endocrine system. Yoga can lower blood sugar levels as well. The nervous system comes into balance as stress is relieved: the entire practice shifts us from the stress response to the relaxation response. The mind quiets, concentration and alertness improve, mood become more positive. *Immune function improves: as the body functions more optimally, we are better able to fight off disease and infection.* *We become more whole - body, mind, and spirit.* examples: arm balances such as plank posture strengthen the upper body warrior postures strengthen the legs forward bends such as head-to-knee posture stretch the hamstring muscles improving posture and may reduce low back pain sun salutations - when done vigorously - increase circulation throughout the body, build cardiovascular endurance and assist lymphatic drainage inversions such as shoulderstand promote circulation in the legs, helping to manage conditions like diabetes and varicose veins hip openers such as the lunge and the split stretch and strengthen the muscles around the hips allowing for better posture and body mechanics shoulder openers such as down dog and the top part of cowface relieve discomfort in the neck and allow greater range of motion of the arms both groups reduce wear and tear on the joints twisting postures and side bends such as gate and triangle posture open the ribs and allow more space for breathing backbends such as cobra and camel posture open the upper chest to unlock restrictions on the breath pranayama can increase breath capacity and teach breath control helping to manage conditions like asthma inversions such as headstand can help relieve digestive problems postures where the abdomen is compressed such as reclining hero and bow posture do the same twisting postures squeeze and soak the organs and glands with fluids, providing them with nutrients and helping the elimination of waste products pranayama helps to balance the nervous system meditation quiets the mind and reduces the stress response restorative postures such as reclining cobbler pose are restful and help to relieve tension restorative postures such as lying with legs extended up the wall leave us rested, more energized and balanced, boosting the immune system increased circulation through a well-rounded practice helps to detoxify our systems and boost immune function meditation lowers stress and anxiety reducing the burden they place on the immune system CLICK HERE FOR PSYCHO/SPIRITUAL THERAPY






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