• Stress relief
• More energy
• Stronger, leaner muscles
• Greater flexibility
• More stamina for work, sport and fun
* Improved balance
• Greater agility

• More centeredness and groundedness
• Enhanced conditioning for improved performance in sports and the arts
• A good night's sleep
• Relief from back and joint pain
• Improved circulation

Yoga can aid recovery from a variety of health conditions

While yoga is not a replacement for qualified medical care, it can aid healing. Students report positive changes from practicing yoga while receiving treatment for the following medical conditions:

Many students report that practicing yoga has helped them to make changes in their diets, exercise routines and habits leading to weight loss.

For many students, simply learning how to manage stress can help to reduce symptoms.

Research Links

Harvard Health Publications

• Yoga May Help Feet, Ease Migraines

• Yoga Can Help Ease Low Back Pain

• Yoga for Anxiety and Depression

• Yoga Could be Good for Heart Disease

• Yoga for a Better Sex Life

• Yoga Can Blunt the Harmful Effects of Stress

Mayo Clinic

• Yoga: Tap into the Many Health Benefits

• Prenatal Yoga: What You Need to Know

• Video: Need to relax? Take a break for Meditation

US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health

• Effects of Yoga vs. Walking on Mood, Anxiety and Brain GABA levels

MIND

Mental benefits of yoga

• Greater clarity
• Improved concentration
• More positive attitude
• Happier mood
• Greater enjoyment of life

Applications

The US Army is using yoga and relaxation exercises in awareness courses for soldiers returning from active duty. Approximately 20% of soldiers returning from Afghanistan or Iraq suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Researchers at Walter Reed Army Medical Centre in Washington, D.C. plan to conduct a controlled trial of the effectiveness of yoga-based treatments in the future. Click here for more information.

Related Research 

Kirkwood G, et al. "Yoga for Anxiety:  A Systematic Review of the Research", British Journal of Sports Medicine (Dec. 2005):  Vol. 39, No. 12, pp. 884 - 91.

Pilkington K, et al.  "Yoga for Depression: The Research Evidence", Journal of Affective Disorders (Dec.  2005): Vol. 89, No. 1-3, pp. 13 - 24.

SOUL

Yoga feeds your soul

Students describe: 

• Inner peace
• Awareness of the present moment
• Appreciation for what they have and what is really important in life
• Wonder at the beauty of nature
• A stronger connection to the Divine