Say Yes to Yoga

By Stacy SimonThe ancient Indian practice of yoga combines meditation, breathing, and precise postures and poses to make a connection with thoughts, body, and spirit. People who practice yoga claim it leads to a state of physical health, relaxation, happiness, peace, and tranquility.Some evidence shows that yoga can lower stress, increase strength, and lessen lower back pain, while providing exercise. And according to a report from the National Institutes of Health, there is also some evidence to suggest yoga may be helpful when used alongside conventional medical treatment to help relieve some of the symptoms linked to cancer, asthma, diabetes, drug addiction, high blood pressure, heart disease, and migraine headaches. Recent studies of cancer survivors, especially women who have had breast cancer, suggest yoga may help improve several aspects of quality of life. Yoga cannot cure cancer or other chronic illnesses, however, nor should it ever be used by itself to treat any medical condition or delay treatment.A typical yoga session can last between 20 minutes and an hour. It starts with slow, gentle movements accompanied by slow, deep breaths from the abdomen. A session may also include guided relaxation, meditation, and sometimes visualization. It often ends with the chanting of a meaningful word or phrase, called a mantra, to achieve a deeper state of relaxation. Most people need several sessions a week to improve and to see lasting health effects, but many people report fe...
Source: American Cancer Society :: News and Features - Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Complementary and Alternative Methods Source Type: news