Arthritis - Try Yoga For Weight Loss and Flexibility
If you have arthritis you may want to give yoga a try - it helps relax and strengthen muscles that are stiff and achy.
In addition, recent studies have shown that as few as 30 minutes of yoga a week helped lessen or stop weight gain in middle-aged people.
The greatest benefit was for those where overweight...
instead of gaining the typical 13 pounds over that time period, they actually lost 5 pounds.
This is a net improvement of 18 pounds! Some physicians believe that the weight loss is because of better body awareness, rather than the exercise itself.
Alan R.
Kristal, PhD, author of one study, said "Yoga makes you more mindful of your body and feelings, so you may also become more aware and sensitive to when you've eaten enough.
" Because people often eat because of depression and anxiety, instead of hunger, Dr.
Kristal noted that people who practice yoga are more focused and are better able to recognize emotional reasons for eating.
One of the great things about it is that no matter what fitness level you are at, you can still practice yoga.
Even if you have arthritic knees and can't get down on a mat, you can do yoga poses while sitting in a chair.
You can find local chair classes by doing an online search.
In fact, you can even find free yoga classes on the Internet.
Another option is to purchase a yoga DVD.
One caveat is that you should not practice yoga during a time you're experiencing an acute flare.
Be mindful of your condition.
You'll know you've overdone it if you hurt more than two hours later, or if you're in pain the following day.
It's important to know your limits and decrease intensity when necessary.
Yoga will stretch your muscles, relieve stiffness, and help with weight loss - why not give it a try!
In addition, recent studies have shown that as few as 30 minutes of yoga a week helped lessen or stop weight gain in middle-aged people.
The greatest benefit was for those where overweight...
instead of gaining the typical 13 pounds over that time period, they actually lost 5 pounds.
This is a net improvement of 18 pounds! Some physicians believe that the weight loss is because of better body awareness, rather than the exercise itself.
Alan R.
Kristal, PhD, author of one study, said "Yoga makes you more mindful of your body and feelings, so you may also become more aware and sensitive to when you've eaten enough.
" Because people often eat because of depression and anxiety, instead of hunger, Dr.
Kristal noted that people who practice yoga are more focused and are better able to recognize emotional reasons for eating.
One of the great things about it is that no matter what fitness level you are at, you can still practice yoga.
Even if you have arthritic knees and can't get down on a mat, you can do yoga poses while sitting in a chair.
You can find local chair classes by doing an online search.
In fact, you can even find free yoga classes on the Internet.
Another option is to purchase a yoga DVD.
One caveat is that you should not practice yoga during a time you're experiencing an acute flare.
Be mindful of your condition.
You'll know you've overdone it if you hurt more than two hours later, or if you're in pain the following day.
It's important to know your limits and decrease intensity when necessary.
Yoga will stretch your muscles, relieve stiffness, and help with weight loss - why not give it a try!
