Live Whole Health #124: Yoga for Strength and Mobility

Moving the body is important to all of us, and it can prevent or help manage diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. Some activities increase endurance, while others improve strength, mobility, balance, or flexibility. Listening to our body is important when engaging in movement or exercise. To avoid injury, pay attention to your body before, during, and after movement activities.

Yoga offers a mind-body practice for all body types and fitness levels

We sometimes think of yoga as physical postures (known as asana), but yoga is so much more than that. The purpose of yoga is to unite body, mind, and spirit, and it can help us find balance within and around us.

Yoga includes movement and postures, breathing practices, meditation, and a philosophy of daily living. These practices can help us increase our connection to our body.

If you’re interested in trying a new movement practice, check out this 13-minute yoga session for veterans led by Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, ERYT-500, RPYT, RCYT, YACEP yoga instructor Chuna Rai Nelson:

This practice includes standing and floor postures, but you can also adapt the postures and movements to a chair.

For a chair-guided gentler mobility practice, check out my joint mobility yoga practice: https://youtu.be/4y8ksKKxgYM.

Additional videos of yoga and other moves can be found in the #LiveWholeHealth self-care series blog post archive.

An Introduction to Yoga for Complete Health includes more information about yoga. Gentle movement sessions are just one form of body movement. Also learn how to use Whole Health to work with your mind and soul: https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTH/circle-of-health/index.asp.

About Shirley A. Tamayo

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