An Overview of the Benefits of Yoga
The practice of Yoga tones the entire body and removes toxins and impurities. Yoga cleanses and aerates the lungs. It oxygenates the blood and purifies the nerves. It leads to a state of complete equilibrium of body, mind and spirit. The practitioner is able to free herself from physical disabilities and mental distraction. Persons of all ages and physical abilities can benefit from yoga practice. Curative yoga poses exist for many diseases, both common and uncommon.

What is Ashtanga Yoga?
In Ashtanga Yoga, the practitioner moves through a sequence of poses, incorporating correct posture, breathing and concentration. Practicing in this way provides optimum health benefits to the entire body. It is generally more vigorous than Hatha Yoga.

Standing Poses develop overall strength and flexibility. They stimulate the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and enable the nervous system to adapt to a range of body positions. Click pictures to enlarge

Back Bending Poses stimulate the sympathetic nervous system and prepare the body for activity. They relieve the tedium of sitting hunched over a desk, reduce the stress that occurs as a result of manipulating objects in the environment and combat the negative effects of too much resting and reclining.

Forward Bending Poses have an invigorating effect of the abdominal organs. They stimulate the entire nervous system and enhance digestion and relieve constipation.

Twisting Poses complement forward and backward bending by exercising muscles in more complex ways than is accomplished by the symmetrical movements of flexion and tension alone. The axial compression of the spine and other structures of the torso improves nutrition to the intervertebral disks and squeezes blood out of the internal organs of the abdomen and pelvis, thus improving circulation in the body’s supportive system.

Shoulder Stand/Head Standing Poses improve blood flow through the brain cells. This rejuvenates them, resulting in clearer and increased brain activity. These poses insure proper blood supply to the pituitary and pineal glands in the brain. Growth, health and vitality depend upon the proper functioning of these two glands. (Note: they are not advisable for those people with high or low blood pressure.)

Although anyone may benefit from a yoga practice, it is especially effective in training for all types of athletic activities. Yoga increases flexibility and it results in higher levels of concentration and endurance as well. Athletes in any sport, from football to gymnastics to swimming can look to yoga to take them to the next level of performance.

A note about what yoga is NOT.
It is not:

• A fitness fad.
  It is a life-style practice that for 5,000 years, has provided tangible benefits to millions of practitioners. Dedication to the practice results in a healthy mind, body and spirit.
  
  
• A quick fix.
  Constant practice is the key to success. It is not a commodity that can be purchased. It is an asset to be gained as the result of hard work.
  
  
• A religion.
  Although the practitioner can enjoy a deeper connection to his or her own spirituality, this is a personal aspect which crosses all philosophical and theological boundaries.