4. Prevents Joint breakdown
Each time you practice yoga, you take your joints through their full range of motion. This can help prevent degenerative arthritis by helping the joint cartilage. Joint cartilage is like a sponge; it receives fresh nutrients only when its fluid is squeezed out and a new supply can be replenished. Without proper sustenance, neglected areas of cartilage can eventually wear out, exposing the underlying bone like worn-out brake pads.
5. Protects your Spine
Spinal disks—the shock absorbers between the vertebrae that can herniate and compress nerves—need movement. That's the only way they get their nutrients. If you've got a well-rounded Yoga practice with different poses such as backbends, forward bends, and twists, you'll help keep your disks supple.
6. Improves your bone health
It is common knowledge that weight-bearing exercise strengthens bones and helps prevent osteoporosis. Many postures in yoga require that you lift your own weight. And some, like Downward- and Upward-Facing Dog, help strengthen the arm bones, which are particularly vulnerable to osteoporotic fractures. Yoga's ability to lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol may help keep calcium in the bones.
cont'd on next post...
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