Benefits of Yoga
- Improves muscle flexibility, strength and endurance – whole body fitness.
- Corrects muscular imbalances in the body and helps to prevent injuries and imbalances from recurring
- Creating a balance between energy and calm, reducing stress and tension
- Improves self esteem through mind-body awareness and realizing presence
- Improves concentration and creativity
- Lowers body fat and improves cardiovascular health
- Stimulates the immune system
Hatha Yoga is all physical yoga. Of course, there are many other aspects, branches and benefits of Yoga. Most importantly, realization of all that you truly are and the connectedness that is the reality of who we are. We offer a diversity of classes at Flow for differing physical and spiritual readiness or interest. From meditation, satsang, mind-body fitness, yoga classes that integrate all limbs of yoga, and more, there is something for most everyone at Flow. Take some time to explore different teachers, classes, and find what is right for you, right now.
Can Yoga make me fit?
The answer is “yes”, if done within certain parameters. In a study performed at the University of California at Davis, students performed eight weeks of active yoga training where fitness components were tested. Significant improvements were noted in muscular strength (31%), muscular endurance (57%), flexibility (up to 188%), and VO2max (7%). Other studies also show significant improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, including increases in respiratory and cardiovascular efficiency and competence, and decreases in oxygen consumption.
So, can participants become “fit” if they just do yoga? Well, that depends. By looking at recent studies, we know that these positive results came only after practicing yoga according to certain guidelines. Studies included more than an hour of practice at least two to fours days a week. The yoga sessions included breath work with poses/asanas that included Sun Salutations (flowing – linking poses together) and challenging standing and balancing poses. Flow Yoga was designed in just this way.
So, can participants become “fit” if they just do yoga? Well, that depends. By looking at recent studies, we know that these positive results came only after practicing yoga according to certain guidelines. Studies included more than an hour of practice at least two to fours days a week. The yoga sessions included breath work with poses/asanas that included Sun Salutations (flowing – linking poses together) and challenging standing and balancing poses. Flow Yoga was designed in just this way.