Most Three Health Benefits of Yoga

Overall benefits to general health are as listed below.

Physiological Benefits
ƒStable autonomic nervous system equilibrium, with a tendency toward parasympathetic nervous system dominance rather than the usual stress-induced sympathetic nervous system dominance

ƒPulse rate decreases
ƒRespiratory rate decreases
ƒBlood pressure decreases (of special significance for hyporeactors)
ƒGalvanic Skin Response (GSR) increases ƒEEG - alpha waves increase (theta, delta, and beta waves also increase during various stages of meditation)
ƒEMG activity decreases
ƒCardiovascular efficiency increases
ƒRespiratory efficiency increases (respiratory amplitude and smoothness increase, tidal volume increases, vital capacity increases, breath-holding time increases)
ƒGastrointestinal function normalizes
ƒEndocrine function normalizes
ƒExcretory functions improve
ƒMusculoskeletal flexibility and joint range of motion increase
ƒPosture improves
ƒStrength and resiliency increase
ƒEndurance increases
ƒEnergy level increases
ƒWeight normalizes
ƒSleep improves
ƒImmunity increases
ƒPain decreases

Psychological Benefits

ƒSomatic and kinesthetic awareness increase
ƒMood improves and subjective well-being increases
ƒSelf-acceptance and self-actualization increase
ƒSocial adjustment increases
ƒAnxiety and depression decrease
ƒHostility decreases

ƒ Psychomotor functions improve:

Grip strength increases
Dexterity and fine skills improve
Eye-hand coordination improves
Choice reaction time improves
Steadiness improves
Depth perception improves
Balance improves
Integrated functioning of body parts improves

ƒ Cognitive function improves:

Attention improves
Concentration improves
Memory improves
Learning efficiency improves
Symbol coding improves
Depth perception improves
Flicker fusion frequency improves

Biochemical Effects
The biochemical profile improves, indicating an antistress and antioxidant effect, important in the prevention of degenerative diseases.