From the article: Benefits of Yoga
Yoga has many health benefits, including lowering stress and decreasing back pain. If yoga has helped you improve your health, share your story here. Readers Respond
grateful beginner
- My mother died and my back pain was worse than ever. I had to take pain relievers almost daily. Then, 18 months ago and quite by chance, I started yoga. I have still a long way to go but yoga has already helped me in many ways. I am grateful to yoga and to my teacher, Marisol. Also thanks to About Yoga for keeping me connected to Yoga even when I can not attend to classes. Thanks!
- —ebcn
Yoga...part of my life
- I started yoga 6 years ago, when I was at the age of 38. These years I can see-- my body balance and overall health are improved; increased flexibility & look younger (I always think if I had started yoga at the younger age, I could look much younger). The mind, body & spirit transformation is so amazing. I love yoga, its part of my life now.
- —Guest Yue
holistic health
- I've suffered from back pain since a severe accident; since starting yoga 3 years ago, I take no pain meds and I can work out with the younger crowd. My balance, flexibility and endurance are all improved. I would never give it up
- —Ironlady48
depression resolved
- I had suffered chronic depression for 1 1/2 years. Although it was a myriad of modalities that helped me resolve my depression, I do credit my all over wellness and medicine free well being to my practice of yoga. It truly has made me healthier today, at 64, than I have ever been in my life.
- —Guest gail
Hammer Toe
- I was scheduled for hammer toe surgery, four months after beginning yoga. I delayed the surgery for five months, and then realized that doing sun salutation each day had "fixed" my hammer toe! The doctor was not impressed, she only said, "If you stop, it will return." So yoga prevented a painful surgery and a six week recovery for me.
- —Leeperkins
Graves Disease remission
- My sister talked me into signing up for a yoga class after I was diagnosed with Graves Disease. I give the stress relief yoga brings great credit in bringing about my remission. It also helped rebuild the muscle deterioration I had suffered from the disease. I had also been on pain medication for 10 years for lower back pain. The only thing I take these days is 2 yoga classes a week & feel great! The mind, body & spirit transformation yoga can bring is amazing.
- —Guest Diane
Let me count the ways . . .
- I began doing yoga 14 years ago to prevent health problems, not so much because I had any. Now at 50, I have much less aches and pains than my similar-aged coworkers; I can get out of bed in the morning with nary a hobble or groan; I can bend over and touch the floor (and get back up!) without hurting myself--but the biggest benefit for me is that as I get older and face major life changes such as menopause, loss of a parent, job stress, etc--I don't freak out. When I start to feel stressed or anxious I just say okay, now it's time to breath! The situation may not change, but my response to it can, and that is what I love about yoga!
- —rbrubacker60
yoga for Osteoporosis
- I am 68 years old and have Osteoporosis. If I dont practice Yoga regularly, I become stiff, with pains in my back, legs and joints generally. Yoga keeps it all at bay. I am a constant size 10 and enjoy an healthy apetite and a positve outlook. I think Yoga is the best thing ever.
- —Guest linda
About Yoga for Fibromyalgia
- I have recently started Yoga for Fibromyalgia and it has really helped with stability, breathing and muscle weakness that I once experiened. I am so much happier and feel uplifted each time I do Yoga or think of it! I use my Yoga breathing in daily life as well so my breathing has really improved, oh, and not to mention I have lost about 15 pounds since I started Yoga. I LOVE it!
- —Guest YogiHenrietta
great health benefits
- After 6 weeks of Bikram hot yoga, my blood pressure was down to 100/63 and my resting heart rate down from 72 to 60. My allergies are lighter and I have more mental acuity and a much higher energy level. My plantar fasciitis is improved and creaky shoulder, hip, and knee stuff is virtually gone. I would never think of stopping yoga.
- —Guest Lulu in Utah
Amazing Healing from Yoga
- I suffered from lower back problems for 15 years until I experienced a gentle back healing yoga class in 2000. Not only is my pain now easily managed by regular yoga, I can also run for exercise after more than 20 years of not even a little jog without sciatic nerve pain. I run 3 miles regularly and at 40 years old my cardio health, strength and energy level are the best they've ever been. I became a Holy Yoga instructor about a year and a half ago and am amazed that I can teach a Level 2 Vinyasa class! Never would I have believed that possible before yoga. I am grateful that my healing now brings healing to others- physically, mentally and spiritually.
- —Guest Melissa
A Pleasant Suprise
- I first started doing six years ago to help with breathing problems I had developed with thyroid disease. Within a few months, I was not only breathing easier, I was less fatigued and had a brighter outlook. Since then, it has helped with back pain and a knee injury, and it gives me focus and perspective.
- —Guest Wesa
Wish I had done this years ago
- I have orthostatic intolerance (BP drops) and yoga has helped me transition back into exercise. I used to do the typical machines/elliptical but now I love the yoga so much I am sticking with it. I can tell it helps my circulation and you can't beat it for deep stretching and flexibility. I am hoping to improve my stress response as well.
- —Guest Marsha
Yoga keeps me "young"
- I started yoga right before I turned 59 11 years ago. I sometimes wonder what my health would be like had I not started this practice. Let's see -- it helps me sleep better, avoid falls, breathe more deeply, stay limber, and even helps keep my weight, circulation, and blood pressure in a healthier range. Yoga practitioners also make good friends. All those things and more lead to better overall health.
- —Guest Yoga Gramma
Yoga and Good Health
- My physical health has always been great. I find that my state of mind or my mental health is greatly improved and supported from my yoga practice. After a good class I just feel happier, calmer and much more open and accepting. I don't even mind waiting in line at the grocery store! I just stand in mountain and breathe. Namaste!
- —Guest Elaine
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