Yoga Station

Substantial research has been conducted to look at the Health Benefits of Yoga - from Yoga Postures (Asanas), Yoga Breathing (Pranayama), and Meditation. The information is grouped into three categories-physiological, psychological, biochemical effects. Furthermore, scientists have laid these results against the benefits of regular exercise

Physiological Benefits of Yoga

• Maintain stable autonomic nervous system balance

• Decrease pulse rate

• Decrease respiratory rate

• Decrease blood pressure decreases

• Increase Galvanic Skin Response (GSR)

• Increase EEG - alpha waves  (theta, delta, and beta waves also increase during various stages of meditation)

• Reduce EMG activity

• Increase cardiovascular efficiency

• Increase respiratory efficiency

• Normalize gastrointestinal function

• Normalize endocrine function

• Improve excretory functions

• Increase musculoskeletal flexibility and joint range of motion 

• Increase breath-holding time

• Increase joint range of motion

• Increase grip strength

• Improve eye-hand coordination

• Improve dexterity skills 

• Improve reaction time

• Improve postures

• Improve strength and resiliency

• Improve endurance 

• Increase energy level 

• Normalize and control weight

• Improve sleep

• Increase immunity

• Reduce pain

• Improve steadiness 

• Improve depth perception

• Improve balance

• Improve integrated functioning of body parts

Psychological Benefits of Yoga

• Increase somatic and kinesthetic awareness

• Improve mood  and increase subjective well-being

• increase self-acceptance and self-actualization

• Increase social adjustment

• Decrease anxiety and depression

• Improve concentration,memory and attention

• Improve learning efficiency

• Improve social skills 

• Improve symbol coding and depth perception 

• Improve flicker fusion frequency

Biochemical Benefits of Yoga

• Decrease glucose

• Decrease sodium 

• Decrease Total cholesterol and Triglycerides

• Increase HDL cholesterol

• Decrease LDL and VLDL cholesterol

• Increase cholinesterase

• Decrease catecholamines 

• Increase ATPase

• Increase hematocrit and hemoglobin

• Increase lymphocyte count 

• Decrease total white blood cell count

• Increase Thyroxin

• Increase Vitamin C 

• Increase total serum protein

Yoga Benefits versus Exercise Benefits

• Yoga Benefits

  • Dominate Parasympathetic Nervous System

  • Dominate Subcortical regions of brain

  • Slow dynamic and static movements

  • Normalization of muscle tone

  • Low risk of injuring muscles and ligaments

  • Low caloric consumption

  • Effort is minimized, relaxed

  • Energizing (breathing is natural or controlled)

  • Balanced activity of opposing muscle groups

  • Noncompetitive, process-oriented

  • Internal Awareness (focus is on breath and the infinite)

  • Uncountably possibilities for growth in self-awareness