Read about the benefits yoga can bring to mind & body

By Elizabeth Hayward

The ancient art of yoga is a great way to unwind and help prevent disease by providing therapeutic properties which promote a healthier lifestyle.

There are many different types of yoga, including hatha and palates. The most common in western countries is Hatha, which is a balanced programme of stretching and flexing muscles to help with many aspects of health and life.

Yoga is said to help with mind as well as body. It is an excellent stress relief and helps with posture, prevention of serious diseases and breathing techniques.

Present day stress levels are high due to the hectic lifestyles we lead and that is why it is a good idea to take exercise, even if it is just 15-20 minutes a day.

Carrying out 15 minutes of Yoga in a morning can help you focus and deal with problems throughout the day. A session at night before bed can help you get a good nights sleep by relaxing your body and unwinding any stress.

It is important to look after your body and yoga is a good way to help promote a healthy lifestyle. However, yoga is an anaerobic exercise and does not help achieve weight loss without a combined healthy lifestyle and aerobic exercise.

Warrington Collegiate CHAT nurse manager, Sue Coggins said, "Yoga is a great way to relieve stress. Benefits include flexibility, focus and breathing techniques, which improve oxygen concentration."
"Yoga makes you more in tune with your body which helps you to become more healthy physically and mentally."

The meditation of yoga can cut everyday annoyances and take the inner peace of your body and use it for a calm inner tranquillity.

Yoga classes run at Birchwood Leisure and Tennis Complex, Total Fitness and Warrington Baths and Leisure Centre.

Jules Hamlin demonstrating the lotus position.