1. YOGA FOR … STRESS RELIEF: Yoga reduces the physical effects of stress on the body. By
encouraging relaxation, yoga helps to lower the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Related
benefits include lowering blood pressure and heart rate, improving digestion and boosting the
immune system as well as easing symptoms of conditions such as anxiety, depression, fatigue,
asthma and insomnia.
2. YOGA FOR … PAIN RELIEF: Yoga can ease pain. Studies have demonstrated that practicing
yoga asanas (postures), meditation or a combination of the two, reduced pain for people with
conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, auto-immune diseases and hypertension as well as
arthritis, back and neck pain and other chronic conditions. Some practitioners report that even
emotional pain can be eased through the practice of yoga.
3. YOGA FOR … BETTER BREATHING: Yoga teaches people to take slower, deeper breaths.
This helps to improve lung function, trigger the body’s relaxation response and increase the
amount of oxygen available to the body.
4. YOGA FOR … FLEXIBILITY: Yoga helps to improve flexibility and mobility, increasing range
of movement and reducing aches and pains. Many people can’t touch their toes during their first
yoga class. Gradually they begin to use the correct muscles. Over time, the ligaments, tendons and
muscles lengthen, increasing elasticity, making more poses possible. Yoga also helps to improve
body alignment resulting in better posture and helping to relieve back, neck, joint and muscle
problems.
5. YOGA FOR … INCREASED STRENGTH: Yoga asanas (postures) use every muscle in the
body, helping to increase strength literally from head to toe. And, while these postures strengthen
the body, they also provide an additional benefit of helping to relieve muscular tension.
6. YOGA FOR … WEIGHT MANAGEMENT: Yoga (even less vigorous styles) can aid weight
control efforts by reducing the cortisol levels as well as by burning excess calories and reducing
stress. Yoga also encourages healthy eating habits and provides a heightened sense of well being
and self esteem.
7. YOGA FOR … IMPROVED CIRCULATION: Yoga helps to improve circulation and, as a result
of various poses, more efficiently moves oxygenated blood to the body’s cells.
8. YOGA FOR … CARDIOVASCULAR CONDITIONING: Even gentle yoga practice can provide
cardio-vascular benefits by lowering resting heart rate, increasing endurance and improving
oxygen uptake during exercise.
9. YOGA FOR… FOCUS ON THE PRESENT: Yoga helps us to focus on the present, to become
more aware and to help create mind body health. It opens the way to improved concentration,
coordination, reaction time and memory.
10. YOGA FOR… INNER PEACE: The meditative aspects of yoga help many to reach a deeper,
more spiritual and more satisfying place in their lives. Many who begin to practice for other
reasons have reported this to be a key reason that yoga has become an essential part of their daily
lives.
For more information on the benefits cited here, and on studies about the health benefits of yoga, visit the
Friendly Links page for links to more sources.
encouraging relaxation, yoga helps to lower the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Related
benefits include lowering blood pressure and heart rate, improving digestion and boosting the
immune system as well as easing symptoms of conditions such as anxiety, depression, fatigue,
asthma and insomnia.
2. YOGA FOR … PAIN RELIEF: Yoga can ease pain. Studies have demonstrated that practicing
yoga asanas (postures), meditation or a combination of the two, reduced pain for people with
conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, auto-immune diseases and hypertension as well as
arthritis, back and neck pain and other chronic conditions. Some practitioners report that even
emotional pain can be eased through the practice of yoga.
3. YOGA FOR … BETTER BREATHING: Yoga teaches people to take slower, deeper breaths.
This helps to improve lung function, trigger the body’s relaxation response and increase the
amount of oxygen available to the body.
4. YOGA FOR … FLEXIBILITY: Yoga helps to improve flexibility and mobility, increasing range
of movement and reducing aches and pains. Many people can’t touch their toes during their first
yoga class. Gradually they begin to use the correct muscles. Over time, the ligaments, tendons and
muscles lengthen, increasing elasticity, making more poses possible. Yoga also helps to improve
body alignment resulting in better posture and helping to relieve back, neck, joint and muscle
problems.
5. YOGA FOR … INCREASED STRENGTH: Yoga asanas (postures) use every muscle in the
body, helping to increase strength literally from head to toe. And, while these postures strengthen
the body, they also provide an additional benefit of helping to relieve muscular tension.
6. YOGA FOR … WEIGHT MANAGEMENT: Yoga (even less vigorous styles) can aid weight
control efforts by reducing the cortisol levels as well as by burning excess calories and reducing
stress. Yoga also encourages healthy eating habits and provides a heightened sense of well being
and self esteem.
7. YOGA FOR … IMPROVED CIRCULATION: Yoga helps to improve circulation and, as a result
of various poses, more efficiently moves oxygenated blood to the body’s cells.
8. YOGA FOR … CARDIOVASCULAR CONDITIONING: Even gentle yoga practice can provide
cardio-vascular benefits by lowering resting heart rate, increasing endurance and improving
oxygen uptake during exercise.
9. YOGA FOR… FOCUS ON THE PRESENT: Yoga helps us to focus on the present, to become
more aware and to help create mind body health. It opens the way to improved concentration,
coordination, reaction time and memory.
10. YOGA FOR… INNER PEACE: The meditative aspects of yoga help many to reach a deeper,
more spiritual and more satisfying place in their lives. Many who begin to practice for other
reasons have reported this to be a key reason that yoga has become an essential part of their daily
lives.
For more information on the benefits cited here, and on studies about the health benefits of yoga, visit the
Friendly Links page for links to more sources.
Perfection is found at
your own pace.
your own pace.
Note to self: just breathe...
Guides and Tips for Practicing Yoga
Hatha Yoga Corpus Christi
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CLOTHING: Form fitting, comfortable, breathable clothes: spandex or cotton fitted tops,
yoga-friendly shorts, sweat pants. Try to avoid revealing or cumbersome clothing.
EQUIPMENT: Remember your mat and a blanket or large towel.
HYGIENE: Showering or bathing before class will help you enjoy your class and practice more. It
cleanses away the day's impurities as well as any heavy fragrances. It is best to attend each
session free of all perfumes and fragranted lotions and body oils.
JEWELRY: Remove all jewelry and cumbersome items to prevent snagging or interruptions.
FOOD: Refrain from eating 1-2 hours before a yoga session. It benefits your bodily
functions, internal system and mental alertness.
PROGRESS: Don't feel compelled to compare your progress in the yoga session to anyone else
except yourself. Everyone is different and has their own personal challenges to work with.
PATIENCE: Listen to your body and be patient. By taking your time, connecting with your body
and breath, and staying focused you will progress beautifully through your practice.
RESPECT: Honor the class and everyone in it. Show respect for the instructor, other students,
and yourself. Show up promptly and stay through for the whole practice. Remember,
Savasana at the end is just as important as Virabadrasana I at the beginning.
yoga-friendly shorts, sweat pants. Try to avoid revealing or cumbersome clothing.
EQUIPMENT: Remember your mat and a blanket or large towel.
HYGIENE: Showering or bathing before class will help you enjoy your class and practice more. It
cleanses away the day's impurities as well as any heavy fragrances. It is best to attend each
session free of all perfumes and fragranted lotions and body oils.
JEWELRY: Remove all jewelry and cumbersome items to prevent snagging or interruptions.
FOOD: Refrain from eating 1-2 hours before a yoga session. It benefits your bodily
functions, internal system and mental alertness.
PROGRESS: Don't feel compelled to compare your progress in the yoga session to anyone else
except yourself. Everyone is different and has their own personal challenges to work with.
PATIENCE: Listen to your body and be patient. By taking your time, connecting with your body
and breath, and staying focused you will progress beautifully through your practice.
RESPECT: Honor the class and everyone in it. Show respect for the instructor, other students,
and yourself. Show up promptly and stay through for the whole practice. Remember,
Savasana at the end is just as important as Virabadrasana I at the beginning.
Top Ten Reasons to Try Yoga
Tips for Reducing Stress
1. Learn how to effectively manage your time. Keep a calendar or planner up to date with
important appointments, meetings and events.
2. Get at least 8 hours of sleep every night and stay on a sleeping schedule. Go to sleep and wake
up at the same time every day.
3. Don't rely on drugs or alcohol to solve stress problems. Don't continuously blame other people
for your problems. It will only ultimately add on to the stress.
4. Exercise regularly. Try to exercise at least 3 times a week.
5. Learn how to say “No”. Know your limits, stick to them and refuse to accept added
responsibilities. Taking on more than you can handle is a surefire recipe for stress.
6. Always keep a positive attitude.
7. Treat yourself to occasional restoratives and relaxers: massage, restorative yoga, meditation,
even an hour away from it all.
For more information in stress management, reduction, and prevention visit HelpGuide.org
important appointments, meetings and events.
2. Get at least 8 hours of sleep every night and stay on a sleeping schedule. Go to sleep and wake
up at the same time every day.
3. Don't rely on drugs or alcohol to solve stress problems. Don't continuously blame other people
for your problems. It will only ultimately add on to the stress.
4. Exercise regularly. Try to exercise at least 3 times a week.
5. Learn how to say “No”. Know your limits, stick to them and refuse to accept added
responsibilities. Taking on more than you can handle is a surefire recipe for stress.
6. Always keep a positive attitude.
7. Treat yourself to occasional restoratives and relaxers: massage, restorative yoga, meditation,
even an hour away from it all.
For more information in stress management, reduction, and prevention visit HelpGuide.org
Tips for a Healthy Diet
1. Watch your portion size. Don't supersize anything. Share a meal with a friend or get half of
your meal to-go when ordering.
2. Take your time when chewing. Chew slower and you will see that you get fuller faster and
ultimately eat less in each sitting.
3. Eat a hearty breakfast. Eating a healthy breakfast in the morning can help jumpstart your
metabolism and it gives your body all day to work off the calories.
4. Drink more water than sodas, coffees or teas each day. A "meat and potatoes" kind of diet
requires more water for digestion and other bodily activities than a "vegetarian" diet. Fruits and
vegetables are mostly comprised of water on their own and offer much of the body's required daily
amount of water.
5. If you have a craving, allow yourself a small indulgence. A couple bites is very different from
a full serving. Plus, if a craving is not satisfied, often people find themselves pecking, snacking
and working with a lack of focus on the task.
your meal to-go when ordering.
2. Take your time when chewing. Chew slower and you will see that you get fuller faster and
ultimately eat less in each sitting.
3. Eat a hearty breakfast. Eating a healthy breakfast in the morning can help jumpstart your
metabolism and it gives your body all day to work off the calories.
4. Drink more water than sodas, coffees or teas each day. A "meat and potatoes" kind of diet
requires more water for digestion and other bodily activities than a "vegetarian" diet. Fruits and
vegetables are mostly comprised of water on their own and offer much of the body's required daily
amount of water.
5. If you have a craving, allow yourself a small indulgence. A couple bites is very different from
a full serving. Plus, if a craving is not satisfied, often people find themselves pecking, snacking
and working with a lack of focus on the task.
Yoga Coastal Bend Network