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