The antidote to stress and its manifestations is relaxation. To relax is to rest deeply. Relaxation is a state in which there is no effort, and the brain is quiet. Dr. Herbert Benson MD., who coined the phrase "The Relaxation Response" describes the physiological and mental responses that occur when one consciously relaxes by saying that relaxation is the physiological state characterized by a slower heart rate, metabolism, rate of breathing, lowered blood pressure, and slower brain wave patterns.
In the biological reaction to stress; Flight or Fight we can see an increase in cortisol levels, otherwise known as the stress hormone. With high levels of cortisol there is a reduction of muscle recovery and an increase of fat production. By reducing cortsiol levels you will be gaining more benefit from your personal training exercises, increasing your strength and power, reducing your body fat, improving your endurance, and feeling overall more energy.
We reduce cortisol by relaxing our systems fight or flight reactions and yoga has been a proven, well researched and documented practice for improving this response. By breathing fully, stretching your whole body and calming your mind you will reach your fitness, personal and life goals more effectively.
It is in this way that Yoga is a unique way to aid in relaxation, and also has many additional healthg benefits such as increasing flexibility and elasticity of the muscle tissue, increasing core strength, rehabilitating injuries, improving muscular strength and endurance as well as improving mind and body self-regulation.
Jessica Beck
Yoga Therapist
Innovative Health Group
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