Yoga

Help for the desk-ridden

I recently took part in a lunch-hour yoga session with a few people from the office. It felt great! After I returned to the office I uncovered a few little yogi factoids that I’d like to share with you now:

• The fluid movements of yoga reduce stress, improve flexibility and encourage relaxation – all bonuses for newsroom types.
• A 30-minute session of yoga can virtually reduce all traces of stress or anxiety in the body and brain. Gentle stretches also clear the mind because they greatly improve blood circulation.

• Of particular note to women: yoga reduces menopausal and menstrual symptoms and can make pregnancy and birth more comfortable.
• Yoga stretches improve strength and muscle tone.

On top of these benefits, yoga is beneficial for someone who regularly puts themselves through fast-paced and demanding circuit training workouts and high-intensity outdoor runs. Mixing your exercise pace up with a little bit of gentle yoga can go a long way in balancing you out – in body and mind!