Practicing Yoga Makes you Happier, Says Study

A new study indicates that yoga really can make you happier.

The reason?

It raises important mood boosting chemicals in the brain, say the researchers from Boston University School of Medicine.

Over a period of several months, the researchers measured the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in the brains of those who practiced yoga compared with those who simply walked for exercise. (They ran these measurements both before and after the study participant’s exercised)

GABA, by the way, is known to be an important mood chemical. Those who are depressed or who suffer from anxiety tend to have lover levels of GABA in their brains than do “happier” people.

The researchers found that those yoga practitioners who did a lot of downward facing dog poses (for an example of this pose, see the YouTube video below) boosted the GABA levels in their brains far more than the group that walked. PLUS the yoga practitioners had greater improvements in mood than did those who walked.

This study was published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
So…if September being National Yoga Month is not enough to make you try yoga, perhaps the results of this study will inspire you to try it!

Source: My Fox La

September is National Yoga Month

September is National Yoga Month. I have practiced yoga on and off throughout the years, and have found it to be very relaxing, both mentally and physically, and a great spiritual practice. But the meaning of yoga practice varies depending upon whom you talk to. Yoga is not always just slow movements, controlled breathing, and long poses (called asanas).

Indeed, there are so many different types of yoga that you should be able to find one that fits your personality, your fitness level, and your needs. Here are just four of the many different types of yoga:

Hatha Yoga is probably the most popular type of yoga and is an excellent practice for beginners. This type of yoga stresses slow and gentle movements. There is also an emphasis on the breath during yoga practice.

Ashtanga Yoga is the polar opposite of Hatha Yoga. Called “Power yoga,” Ashtanga Yoga requires constant movement and provides an excellent cardio workout. But relaxation? Forget it.

Vinyasa Yoga is similar to Ashtanga. Vinyasa is fast paced yoga practice with a lot of different poses. But these poses are seldom held for long. Rather, each pose flows into the next, and the next, and the next…well, you get the idea.

Kripalu Yoga is a very spiritual type of hatha yoga. In Kripalu, there are a lot of breathing exercises, a lot of stretching, and a lot of gentle poses. There is also meditation and a focus on the spiritual self.

The type of yoga that I practice is Hatha Yoga. I have tried Vinyase Yoga, but it was way too hard for me. Have you tried any of these types of yoga and what did you think of them? Have you tried any other types of yoga? Will you start practicing yoga this month now that it is National Yoga Month?