Yoga is Good

  

"You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working; in just the same way, you learn to love by loving."

– St. Francis de Sales

  Yoga is good for you

 As an ultra-marathoner, it’s not surprising that I support and recommend running for mental and physical health. And, I also believe that trail running is more advantageous than road running. It’s no secret that I average about 50 miles a week of running. However, I know that not everyone is able to run. So, I have no trouble with finding other ways that can help with health.

For instance, in the Blue Shield of California Better Living Newsletter, Fall/Winter 2014, there was some information about discovering the benefits of yoga. The points made were as follows: 1.] Yoga can help reduce anxiety through breathing. When an individual reaches the “alpha state,” this means that it is a helpful way to help our body respond to stress. This state will allow muscles to begin to relax and as a consequence, it lowers heart rate and blood pressure as we begin breathing more easily. Slowing down heart rate and blood pressure are important for a healthy heart. 2] As we know, aging results in our joints becoming less fluid. And when one practices yoga, on a regular basis, this allows joints to become more lubricated and makes the many daily tasks of movements easier to perform. Lubricate your joints and move more easily. 3] Unfortunately, falling is a leading cause of injury among older adults. In fact, one in three adults 65 or older falls. Yoga encourages slow, careful movement that can strengthen muscles. And supposedly the result is better balance, which can help prevent falling.

 On a personal note, even though my muscles are strong, I sometimes fall when trail running. It might be a tree root or rock camouflaged by leaves that pops up and gets me. Since I know that I might fall, especially when I’m tired,  daydreaming and do not pick up my feet, I run with two handheld water bottles for my protection( to break my fall). Maybe, yoga would cut down on my falling or tripping?

I must admit that so far I haven’t taken advantage of learning yoga. That’s something I’m willing to consider. There are no negative side effects of learning yoga. In fact, at times, my sister will do a yoga pose and see if I can do likewise (I smile to myself when I imitate her). In any event, yoga or not, keep moving, laughing, smiling, loving, bonding and appreciating.