Benefits of Hatha Yoga Using The Ten Body Mind Therapy Systems

Hatha yoga poses have many beneficial effects on you physically, mentally and spiritually.  Yoga practices work with balance between the mind and body but in order to understand how yoga works the Ten Body Mind Therapy Systems need to be taken into account.

Skeleton System – Bones are living tissues that can be strengthened through use. Yoga practices move and mobilize all joints, where bone meets bone. Yoga uses upper body work and weigh bearing on many body parts and lubricates our joints.

Muscular System – To maintain alignment of the body, muscular tensions on different sides of the body which are within opposing muscles are balanced during the yoga practice. Muscles strengthened and lengthened by yoga are less prone to injury.

Respiratory System – Breath is a central role in Hatha yoga. Breathing capacity is proportional to the ability to control the breath and to the strength and flexibility of the respiratory system. If your chest and ribs are stiff, they we will not be able to fully utilize your diaphragm and your breathing is limited. Yoga brings flexibility and increases the capacity of your lungs. It has been proven that vitality, longevity and mental and emotional states are directly related to the breath.

Pranic Energy System – Prana refers to the breathing mechanism used throughout yoga. Prana means life force and is essential in practicing yoga. Learning to create and direct flows of healing energy is necessary in learning inner control, healing with energy and self development.

Mental and Emotional System - Many yogis believe Hatha yoga is a mental disciple directed toward the understanding of consciousness. Developing mental awareness, clarity and insight are the core of yoga. Even though Hatha yoga poses are very physical, it involves a great deal of mental conditioning and development. In yoga you learn to expand your attention to all areas of the body while directing focus to specific parts. This improves concentration, mental awareness and endurance that is required in order to hold difficult asanas for long periods.

Digestive System – Yoga inverted poses, twists and forward bends increase the flow of energy to the digestive systems by directing energy toward these organs by releasing the compression in the spine to increase flow to the digestive organs. Yoga also brings great attention to diet and nutrition. Eating a healthy diet is important in maintaining the digestive system.

Circulatory System– Pumping and working the circulatory system on a daily basis is key to health, well being and the relief of tension. Hatha yoga has many unique circulatory effects which directly enhance specific body parts, glands and organs. Using inversions like the headstand, shoulder stand, and downward dog, bring increased blood flow to the upper body, head, neck, face and scalp.

 Endocrine System – The endocrine system is the hormonal system which affects all aspect of the growth, development and function of the body. Hormones regulate our mood, tissue function, metabolism, and the reproductive processes. Hatha yoga practices, especially inversions, backbends, twists and breath control are believed to have strong, beneficial effects on keeping the endocrine system in balance.

Nervous System – The nervous system conducts information throughout our body and consists of the brain, spinal cord, nerves and other receptor organs. Hatha yoga works to lengthen the spine, maintaining and giving more space to the nerves. Nerve flow can also be improved by breathing and practicing directing the energy flows through visualization. Asanas like seated boat and standing poses like Half Moon and Warriors can direct and extend the nerve energy out to your extremities and down to your toes.

Why Hatha Yoga

Disciple and strength of character come from creating and maintaining a regular yoga practice and all of these qualities are carried over in other areas of our life. One of the beauties of Hatha yoga is that it is a inter relationship of the body, mind and spirit and no one can appreciate the journey unless they practice yoga. Begin by attending class at a nearby yoga studio, learn yoga and you will see the benefits this exercise routine can bring to you mentally and physically.