Yoga

Yoga is a unique form of physical exercise that incorporates the mind body connection into its practice. It is a way to engage the mind in the body's work and vice versa. Many people feel that they do their physical exercise everyday already so why should they need to add Yoga into their routine a couple of days a week.

Well it is the connection between the body and the mind that we often don't get with our current exercise program. We seem to absent-mindedly exercise and we never ask the mind to stay present and participate. We often feel so fatigued we just don't feel like paying that much attention to our exercise, we just want to get it over with. Well I would like to challenge you to try a Yoga class. When you see and experience all the benefits of Yoga you might just be willing to add it into your weekly exercise program.

The physical benefits of yoga:

1) Flexibility - the postures in Yoga increase the body's full range of motion

2) Increases your body's awareness

3) Improves our overall balance, so we are less likely to fall

4) Increases our energy level, and stamina for our daily life

5) Teaches the body to relax, and decrease tension

6) Helps keep the internal organs, endocrine system and metabolism happy

7) Improves digestion and elimination

8) Improves the overall ability to concentrate

9) Improves posture and delays the onset of aging

10) Helps reduce excess fat

11) Improves circulation and skin tone

The mental benefits of yoga:

1) Calms and disciplines the mind

2) Improves concentration

3) Decreases stress

4) Assists in teaching us to control our emotions, esp. anger

5) Creates a flexible mind

6) Promotes a positive, healthy attitude

Sheree DiBiase, PT, is the owner of Lake City Physical Therapy and she and her staff can be reached at (208) 667-1988. Please come and join us for a free yoga mini-class today at 12:15 p.m. for 40 mins, or next Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. for a free 1/2 hour class before our health and wellness craft faire.