Summary

• The benefits of yoga: on all levels
• Conditions of yoga practice and contraindications

Yoga develops all the muscles of the body. It is a discipline that combines physical, mental/emotional, and spiritual benefits. Most of the time, it can be practiced by everyone, except in cases of contraindications and in certain situations where it is necessary to choose an adapted yoga:

• • yoga for pregnant women,
  • children’s yoga,
  • yoga for seniors.

The benefits of yoga: on all levels

Yoga is a discipline that combines physical exercises, breathing exercises, concentration/meditation, and relaxation exercises.

Here are the benefits of all these exercises:

1. EXERCISES: Physical activities, postures (asanas), and routines

BENEFITS

It gives more flexibility;

 – revitalize the internal organs; some postures operate a gentle massage on our organs;

 – rejuvenate the whole body by making the energy circulate better from head to toe;

 – harmonize the muscles: Yoga works muscles that would otherwise never be used in our daily activities;

 – soften the spine;

 – allow to memorize a “choreography,” a sequence, to develop concentration;

 – build perseverance and endurance (through regular work on postures);

 – strengthen the immune system and allow to be better armed against colds and other chronic diseases;

 – relieves women who suffer from premenstrual syndrome;

 – ensure better longevity.

2. EXERCISES: Respiratory

BENEFITS

Improves the quality of our breathing by developing the rib cage (breathing becomes deeper);

 – eliminate toxins and bacteria from the body;

– strengthen our vitality by circulating vital energy through the chakras;

 – improve blood circulation, decrease heart rate and blood pressure;

 – improve digestive functions;

 – promote relaxation and better stress management;

 – improve the quality of sleep;

 – are of interest to patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation following an acute myocardial infarction.

3. EXERCISES: Concentration and meditation exercises

BENEFITS

Improve our intellectual faculties;

 – give us greater mental clarity;

 – eliminate parasitic thoughts and increase our joy of life;

 – promote spiritual evolution;

 – allow better self-control and a greater openness to others.

4. EXERCISES: Relaxation exercises

BENEFITS

Allow us to learn how to relax;

 – help us manage our stress;

 – help us eliminate negative emotions;

 – improve the quality of sleep.

Good to know: Yoga could cut the risk of diabetes in half for prediabetic people at high risk of diabetes after only three months of practice (source: Nagarathna R et al.: Diabetes Prevention through Yoga-Based Lifestyle: A Pan-India Randomized Controlled Trial. American Diabetes Association—79th Scientific Sessions (San Francisco, California): July 7-11, 2019).

Conditions of Yoga Practice and Contraindications

Yoga is an activity that acts on the physical, mental/emotional, and spiritual levels.

To enjoy all its benefits, you must meet a few prerequisites:

BENEFITS OF YOGA: PREREQUISITES
Health	Be in good health before starting and be familiar with the contraindications of certain postures.
Teacher	– Practice with a qualified and experienced yoga teacher. – It is essential to be corrected if you do the postures incorrectly before starting a yoga practice at home and without a teacher.
Posture	Perform the movements correctly, which means: – Adopting the right posture to avoid hurting yourself with a wrong move, – focus on what you are doing, – and coordinate the breathing movement with the exercise as taught by the teacher.
Patience	Knowing how to take your time: Yoga teaches calm and serenity.
Dress	Have the appropriate clothing: suitable yoga clothing, i.e., not causing any discomfort or pressure on the body to not impede movement.
Yogas	To have found the practice that suits you: – for some, it will be more like a very dynamic yoga-like power yoga, – For others, it will be more a yoga allowing more spiritual openness like Kriya yoga.
Perseverance	– Once you have found and adopted the method that suits you, you have to practice. – It is essential in yoga to persevere and practice regularly to reap the benefits. – Ideally, two to three sessions per week (1 to 1h30 per session) is a good average. – Those who practice at home after several years of classes will be able to adopt a 30-minute rhythm each day.