Dahn Yoga Washington

Benefits of yoga for women post-menopause may include insomnia relief

Phil — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:36:17 +0000

While menopause marks the beginning of an exciting and challenging new chapter in the life of a woman, the transition can be physically difficult – hot flashes, mood swings, difficulty sleeping and so on. Although hormone replacement therapy may help, the number of prescriptions for this treatment has been dropping, according to the North American Menopause Society. Some ladies may be looking for more natural therapies. Thankfully, insomnia relief is one of the potential benefits of yoga for women who have completed the life change.

A team of researchers conducted an experiment on postmenopausal women who were diagnosed with insomnia and were not on hormone therapy. Subjects were divided into three groups: women taught passive stretching, those given yoga lessons and a control group that had neither treatment.

Results showed not only that the group who performed yoga exercises had improvements in their insomnia symptoms and quality of life, but also that these positive changes were more significant within this group than in the other two.

The study was published in the journal Menopause.

So women interested in learning more about how yoga can help them through the change of life should look into their local Dahn Yoga community. They are bound to find helpful exercises, supportive peers and, ultimately, a good night's rest!

A Seattle yoga class may spice up your Valentine’s Day romance

Phil — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:01:14 +0000

With Valentine's Day around the corner, many lovebirds may be weighing the options for romantic gifts: flowers, chocolates, jewelry and other typical treats. Why not try a visit to a Seattle yoga class? After all, studies have suggested that the mind-body regimen may be able to boost energy in every aspect of your life, according to The Huffington Post!

Two research papers, focusing on the effects of yoga on intimacy problems, were published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. The study conducted on men centered on low libido, which affects up to 40 percent of men. The scientists compared the impact of yoga to pharmacological interventions.

Results showed that 100 percent of the yoga group experienced improvements, compared to 82 percent of those on prescription medicines.

Similarly, another study explored yoga in women who experienced low libido. Because yoga enhances mindfulness, those who practiced this therapy were able to become more aware of the present time and the emotional needs of their partner.

Of course, the benefits of yoga for men and women extend outside the realm of the relationship, as well. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, yoga can support stress management, strength and flexibility.

Benefits of yoga during pregnancy include better breathing, stronger muscles

Phil — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:21:26 +0000

Pregnant women may come to find that everything they do is in preparation for the arrival of a healthy baby. They eat nutritious food, create a plan of action for labor and ready a nursery. According to medical experts, exercise should also be a part of this process. Fortunately, there are many benefits of yoga during pregnancy!

According to the federal Office on Women's Health, appropriate levels of physical activity while expecting could ease back pain, improve sleep, promote emotional health and decrease the likelihood of complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and early labor.

When done the right way, yoga can help women "connect to their changing body and prepare for birth by encouraging breathing patterns that help nurture calm and presence during labor," according to practitioner Charlotte Watts, as quoted by Candis.

Furthermore, strong and properly aligned muscles are needed to accommodate a growing fetus.

Watts recommended short but regular workouts from 12 weeks of pregnancy onward, making adjustments as necessary.

Expectant mothers who are looking for a place to exercise should visit their local Dahn Yoga community, where they can find both supportive peers and knowledgeable instructors. If they need further motivation to do so, here's some from the Office on Women's Health: pregnant women who are fit have an easier time dropping back to a normal weight after delivery!

Safety ensures benefits of yoga poses

Phil — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:45:08 +0000

Most practitioners of yoga are well aware of the benefits of yoga poses. However, a recent article in the New York Times may have given novices pause. The story covered the rare occasions in which beginners of the mind-body regimen have injured themselves.

But if you approach yoga keeping certain things in mind, the risks will be minimal, according to the medical blog of ABC News.

The first thing to keep in mind is knowing your limits. In part, this means leaving your competitive spirit at the classroom door!

"One of the basic tenets of yoga is non-injury and self-honesty," said Seattle-based researcher Karen Sherman, as quoted by the news source. "When you practice with the idea that non-violence to your body is part of the practice, you’re more likely to avoid those injuries."

Secondly, if you're injured, be sure to avoid certain poses and ask your teacher for help. The relationship between instructor and student depends on honesty about your physical needs, which makes it important to pick the right teacher to work with, according to the news source. You can sit in on a class to observe and make sure the instructor is certified.

You may even be interested in checking out a local Dahn Yoga community. It shouldn't be difficult to find a quality teacher. According to U.S. News and World Report, there were more than 70,000 certified yoga instructors nationwide as of 2005!

Increased energy is among benefits of yoga for women with breast cancer

Phil — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:49:24 +0000

Women who find breast cancer in its early stages are fortunate to be able to treat their disease when they still can. A significant number of patients in therapy can experience fatigue for reasons that are not entirely clear yet. However, new research suggests that increased energy is one of the potential benefits of yoga for women with breast cancer, as reported by Reuters.

Scientists from the University of California, Los Angeles, conducted a study in which 31 breast cancer survivors were divided into two treatment groups: one took two 90-minute weekly classes of yoga, while the other took a weekly two-hour health course.

After 12 weeks, the women who performed yoga experienced a 26 percent drop in fatigue and 55 percent increase in energy, while the other group saw no improvements, according to the news source. While the study can't definitively say that yoga was responsible for the change, the researchers pointed out that the placebo effect couldn't be in play because both groups of women were expecting improvements.

Women who are interested in Dahn Yoga benefits are not alone. According to a survey published in the Yoga Journal, more than 72 percent of practitioners were female as of 2008.

There are many benefits of yoga for kids who play baseball

Phil — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:41:59 +0000

In the movie A League of Their Own, Tom Hanks famously chided a player, saying "There's no crying in baseball!" If anything, the sport requires a sharp mental focus and nimbleness on one's feet. Luckily, focus is just one of the benefits of yoga for kids who play baseball.

Players on the Jeffersonville High School baseball team are practicing the mind-body regimen during their off-season on the recommendation of their coach, according to The Courier-Journal. The exercises are meant to improve the players' strength, flexibility and focus.

"Everything springs from the core," said yoga instructor Karen Moreno Lawyer, as quoted by the news source. "If you have a strong core, the rest of the body will be strong as well."

While some of the players were initially hesitant to practice yoga because of preconceived notions, several have noticed positive changes in their body. Furthermore, they can see that yoga has a calming effect on the mind, which can help players stay in the game (so to speak).

Baseball players in Washington should have no problem looking for Seattle yoga classes. As of 2005, there were more than 70,000 certified yoga instructors around the country, according to U.S. News and World Report. When it comes to practitioners, the number of people performing yoga exercises increased from 4.3 million in 2001 to about 14.3 million in 2010.

High school lacrosse players learn the benefits of yoga poses

Phil — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:33:06 +0000

Lacrosse can be a mean, high-intensity sport. When thinking of lacrosse players, one may picture swift and burly men who know how to take a hit. Very few people, including the lacrosse players themselves, may picture them meditating and learning the benefits of yoga poses.

But at Apex High School, that's exactly what's happening.

"When I thought of yoga, I didn't take it as serious as it really is. It's a lot harder than it looks," said senior Tyler Rogers, as quoted by The Apex Herald. "But it's turned out to be a lot of fun. I'm hoping for some injury prevention, and it's good for balance and for working on muscle groups I really didn't know I had. I really enjoy it and it's been great for team bonding."

Team coach John Hayden wanted to start an off-season class for years, but just managed to do so recently when he discovered the mother of a player was an instructor, according to the news source. Yoga teacher Tara Farrell designed the class around exercises meant to increase speed, agility and balance.

Young athletes who are interested in Washington yoga classes are not alone. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, more than 1.5 million children practiced this mind-body regimen as of 2007.

‘Glee’ star Lea Michele well aware of benefits of yoga for women

Phil — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:14:15 +0000

On the wildly popular TV show "Glee," high school student Rachel Berry will stop at nothing to realize her dream of being a Broadway star. Lea Michele, the actress who plays Berry, is a budding young actress who also plans "on playing every role on Broadway," as she stated in an interview with Harper's Bazaar. Being in the public eye may explain why Michele and her friends can testify to the benefits of yoga for women.

Michele helps maintain her physique with a regimen that includes yoga, running, dancing, hiking and strength training. She also eats a vegan diet.

Her success on "Glee" makes her feel vindicated after years of being told that she was not pretty and needed a nose job, she told the news source.

"In an industry where girls are expected to look and act a certain way, she isn't afraid to be her own person," her "Glee" co-star Jonathan Groff told Glamour Magazine. "She inspires me."

Yoga is not just meant for celebrity fitness. As of 2008, nearly 16 million American adults were practicing these exercises, according to the Yoga Journal. Anyone interested in taking Washington yoga classes can reap several health benefits associated with this physical activity, including improvements in blood pressure and stress management.

Michele can be seen in the upcoming holiday movie New Year's Eve, co-starring Ashton Kutcher.

Stress management is among benefits of yoga during pregnancy

Phil — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 15:36:29 +0000

On top of eating a nutritious diet, pregnant women need to remember to get plenty of exercise. It helps improve circulation and soothe aching joints. When it comes to mental health, stress management is among the benefits of yoga during pregnancy – and better stress management for mommy could mean better health in adulthood for baby, according to new research.

"Different types of women provide different levels of access to their nutrients," said scientist Kent Thornburg, as quoted in the Detroit Free Press. "Thin mothers with low amounts of muscle are less able to handle protein than more muscular women, for example."

Persistent stress can lead women to produce high levels of cortisol. Even though the placenta can protect the fetus from this hormone, chronically elevated cortisol can modify a baby's genes and slow down the growth of organs, Thornburg told the news source.

Sara Strother, a 30-year-old expectant mother, is one woman who practices yoga to keep her stress down. She even tries to avoid negative people, according to the news source.

A Seattle yoga class and other similar courses can provide a number of health benefits, including improved lung capacity and blood pressure, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Men, women and children may all reap the benefits of yoga poses

Phil — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:09:03 +0000

Contrary to what common media images may have people believe, yoga is not just about women stretching their bodies. In fact, men, women and children of all ages can reap different benefits of yoga poses, according to Yahoo! Sports.

"Regardless of your age, you can get strong, flexible and calm by performing yoga," wrote Rebecca Bardelli. "Husbands and wives, families and friends can perform yoga together. Choose a workout partner, or choose to workout on your own."

Men who practice yoga can improve their muscle strength and flexibility. Meanwhile, women get the added benefit of bolstering their abs and alleviating some of the pain caused by menstrual cramps, according to the news source.

Children may also benefit from Washington yoga classes. This activity can relieve stress and boost both flexibility and coordination, Bardelli wrote. Yoga can also improve body awareness and self-control, which may be especially pertinent to young people who may have attention deficit disorder or similar conditions.

As of 2007, more than 13 million American adults reported practicing yoga within the previous year, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a division of the National Institutes of Health. The agency supports research investigating the link between yoga, immune function, pain and other aspects of health.

Dahn Yoga Washington

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