The Yoga Journal Conference:
Conference speaker, Tim McCall, MD, shared with participants at the Yoga Journal Conference, San Francisco in January 30- February 2, 2004, that scientific studies have shown yoga to reduce and increase the following health benefits.
|
Yoga reduces:
- Cortisol levels
- Blood pressure
- Heart rate
- Respiratory rate
- Cholesterol
- Blood sugar
- Response to stressors
- Nervous system irritability as measured on EEG
- Tone of sympathetic nervous system
- Muscle tension
- Pain
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Hostility
- Guilt
- Self-criticism
- Submissiveness
- Mental fatigue
- Weight
- Resistance to peripheral blood vessels
- Amount of sleep needed
- Defensiveness
|
Yoga Increases:
- Serotonin
- Oxygenation
- Lung capacity
- Chest expansion
- Alpha waves
- Urinary testosterone
- Red blood cells
- Hemoglobin
- (T4) Thyroid hormone level
- Relaxation
- Feelings of euphoria
- Flexibility of hips
- Flexibility of trunk
- Flexibility of neck
- Proteins
- Melatonin
- Cardiovascular activity
- Cardiovascular efficiency
- Social adjustment
- Memory
- Hand Steadiness
- Self-esteem
- IQ
- Openness to express
- Capacity for intimacy
- Albumin
- Blood flow to periphery of body
|
|
