Benefits of Yoga

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Jul 09 2008

Benefits of Yoga - Permanent and Easy Weight Loss

Posted at 10:34 am under Benefits of Yoga

Two Ways To View Weight Loss

One of the many benefits of yoga is better health and healthy weight loss. This weight loss usually comes gradually, which means your body is able to adapt to its new condition much easier, which ultimately means longer lasting and even permanent weight loss.

The topic of weight loss can be viewed from two angles; what you lose; and what you gain. The first is a consideration of what you are moving away from; the second on what you are moving toward. The main focus should ideally be on what you gain. It is the more inspiring option, and Yoga is a very supportive tool to help you get there.

What You Lose

On a physical level, losing weight leads to:

Losing excess fatty tissue, which can be measured in centimeters around the areas of your body where there has been fat accumulation.
‘Losing’ poor health that resulted from sluggish functioning of body systems, such as blood and lymph circulation and digestion.
‘Losing’ low energy levels. When body systems are not functioning optimally, they require more energy to carry out normal physiological processes. This robs us of energy that could be available for daily functioning. Excess fatty tissue also makes the body heavier than it needs to be, requiring more energy for movement and carrying out normal everyday tasks.
‘Losing’ low self-esteem and depression.
‘Losing’ the dislike of your own body, and lack of self-confidence.
‘Losing’ the inability to trust yourself, of feeling that your appetite and your life are out of control.
‘Losing’ a physical shape of which you are not proud.
‘Losing’ any number of other self-deprecating psychological attitudes that come with feeling overweight.

What You Gain

From a holistic perspective you can:

Gain a slimness that is appropriate for you.
Gain health and vitality through improved body system functioning.
Gain increased energy levels.
Gain a body that is more resilient and less prone to injury,
Gain a state of being where energy efficiency, mental clarity, emotional resilience and a playful spirit weave together to inform and guide your experience of life.
Gain a body shape about which you feel good. This involves feeling at home in your body: that it is a welcome part of you.
Gain your beauty and sensuality. Sensuality is about engaging with the world more fully and satisfyingly through all your senses, including the enhanced ability to tune in to the feelings and sensations of your body. Yoga is an ancient, classic system for training such body awareness.
Enhanced sensuality can also lead to more fulfilling sexuality.
Gain improved skin tone with a healthy glow to your shin from improved circulation. This, together with improved health and body tone, can reduce and delay the physical signs of ageing.
Gain self-discipline, self-confidence and. self-respect.
Gain mastery over your appetite, which is one of the most challenging conquests for the human being. This is especially true in these times of excess supply and commercial temptation.
Appetite can refer to any form of indulgence. While a good appetite is inherently healthy, becoming a slave to one’s appetites can lead to greed, imbalance and ill-health. Applying a daily discipline, including healthy eating and a physical practice such as Yoga exercise, can greatly assist in the challenge of taming temptation.