When I Started Doing Yoga, I Really Just Wanted to be Able to Touch My Toes….
But As the Years Have Gone By, My Relationship With Yoga Has Expanded to Become Not Only a Release, But A Lifeline, After I Was Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
Yoga Restored Balance to My Body and Mind After a Truly Jarring and Life Altering Experience. And I Use the Principles I’ve Learned, Everyday, Whether or Not I Am on The Mat.
And Because it Has Been So Instrumental for My Mental and Physical Well Being, I Am Kind of a Yoga Nut When it Comes to Trying to Introduce Folks to the Beauty and Restorative Properties of this Wonderful Exercise of the Mind, Body and Soul.
And If You Didn’t Know Already, it is Nearly the End of NATIONAL YOGA MONTH.
So Sit Back, While I Try to Work My Magic and Get One More Soul to Dip into the Wonder of YOGA.
So What is Yoga?
yo·ga
ˈyōɡə/
noun
Yoga (/ˈjoʊɡə/;[1] Sanskrit, योग)
In Vedic Sanskrit, yoga (from the root yuj) means “to add”, “to join”, “to unite”, or “to attach” in its most common literal sense.
Most likely developed around the sixth and fifth centuries BCE.
A Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which, including breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practiced for health and relaxation.
Yoga gurus from India later introduced yoga to the west, following the success of Swami Vivekananda in the late 19th and early 20th century.
In the 1980s, yoga became popular as a system of physical exercise across the Western world.
Yoga in Indian traditions, however, is more than physical exercise, it has a meditative and spiritual core.
Why Should You Do Yoga?
1. Increased Flexibility
2. Increased Muscle Strength and Tone
3. Cardio and Circulatory Health 
Courtesy of www.medicaldaily.com
4. Protection from Injuries
5. Improved Respiration, Vitality and Energy
6. Improved Athletic Performance
7. MANAGE STRESS 
8. Meditation and Breathing Can Improve Mental Well Being
9. Improves Posture
10. Weight Bearing Exercises STRENGTHENS BONES!!!!
11. Improves Circulation>>>>>Better OXYGEN DELIVERY
12. Improves Balance
13. Improves Digestion 
14. Improves Immune System
15. Helps Kids with Fitness, Focus and Mental Well Being
According to http://mindbodygreen.com
Yoga helps kids to:
- Develop body awareness
- Learn how to use their bodies in a healthy way
- Manage stress through breathing, awareness, meditation and healthy movement
- Build concentration
- Increase their confidence and positive self-image
- Feel part of a healthy, non-competitive group
- Have an alternative to tuning out through constant attachment to electronic devices
***Recent Reports Have Also Revealed Vast Improvement in Student Performance and Mental Well Being With the Institution of Yoga and Meditation into the School Curriculum, Specifically in REPLACEMENT OF DETENTION!!!!*****
http://upworthy.com/this-school-replaced-detention-with-meditation-the-results-are-stunning
Courtesy of www.clearpassage.com Click to expand image.
Courtesy of www.jasonyoga.com
Do You Have to Be Super-Flexible to Do Yoga?
No.
Matter of Fact, Plan on Seeing 35% Increased Flexibility After 8 Weeks of Yoga!!!
The Key is to Stay Committed and Respect the Cues from Your Body!!
KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS!!!!
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!!!
What About Beginners??
The Best Thing About Yoga is That There is No Judgement or Competition.
If Going to a Class and Seeing More Experienced Folks Master Poses That Are Not Even On Your Radar, is Going to Cause Anxiety and Self Doubt, Then Pop in a Video, Go To YouTube, Pinterest or Check Out a Variety of Books and Magazines That Offer Information and Options.
All You Need is Your Yoga Mat and You…..the Rest is Optional.
Most Importantly…..
1. Take it SLOW…..5-10 minute Workouts are Perfect!!!
2. Listen to Your Body
3. Keep Pace with Your Own Progress and Goals
A Great Resource for Beginners:
5 Free Resources for Yoga Beginners By:
Beauty and The Beat
http://www.beautyandthebeatblog.com/5-free-yoga-resources-beginners/
Do You Already Have to Be Fit (In Tip Top Shape) to Do Yoga?
No.
Fitness Varies, Based Upon Your Medical History, Progress and Goals.
Do Not Allow Anyone, Especially Yourself, to Tell You
What Yoga and Fitness ‘Is or Is Not’.
Yoga Can Be Used for Many Goals and Concerns, Including:
Weight Loss
Stress
Anxiety
Sleep Disturbances
Balance
Back Pain
So, Let’s Talk About Sex…. 
Can Yoga Improve Your Sex Life???
Without Getting All Up in My Business…..
Yoga Can Improve Intimacy, By: 
1. Increasing Flexibility
2. Decreasing Stress
3. Options for New Positions
4. Increase Intensity of Orgasm
5. Increase Libido/Desire for Sexual Intimacy
6. Improve Mental Focus on the Present
http://www.yourtango.com/2014245229/best-sex-ever-10-great-yoga-poses-double-as-sex-positions
http://www.doyouyoga.com/7-fabulous-yoga-poses-to-your-increase-libido/
Pre and PostNatal Yoga…..
****As Always, Take it Easy and Consult Your Obstetrician or MidWife Before Initiating Any Fitness Routine During or After Pregnancy****
Focus Your Routine on Areas of Concern:
1. Breathing and Meditation for Labor
2. Back Flexibility and Strengthening
3. Core Strength
4. Balance, as the Pelvic Floor and Hip Joints/Ligaments Relax During the Last Trimester
Things to Avoid:
1. Bikram or ‘Hot’ Yoga…..May result in Overheating Which May Affect the
Health of You and Your Unborn Child
2. Avoid Lying Flat on Your Back After the First Trimester,
As This Causes the Gravid (with Child) Uterus to Put Pressure
on the Aorta (Blood Vessel That Feeds Blood to the Entire Body),
Thereby Decreasing Blood Flow to Vital Organs, Including
the Brain.
Click to Expand Image. 
Safe Poses.
Check Out the Article Below by BabyCenter for ‘Dos and Don’ts’ Yoga Poses
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/yoga-by-benefit/pregnancy/new-research-shows-yoga-poses-safe-pregnancy/
http://www.babycenter.com/404_is-it-safe-to-do-yoga-during-pregnancy_5699.bc
Overall, Please Enjoy and Give Yoga a Chance.
I Really Think You Would Truly Enjoy it!
Here Are a List of Some Great Resources:
My Faves
Tara Stiles….. http://tarastiles.com
Jessamyn Stanley http://jessamynstanley.com/
Black Girls Do Yoga
YogaPhd
****As Always, Make Sure You Consult Your Physician, or Other Healthcare Provider, Before Initiating Any Change in Your Fitness Routine***
Before Any Workout:
STAY HYDRATED!!!
Make Sure You Eat Beforehand and Replenish After Your Workout!!!
Yoga is a Calorie Consuming Fitness Routine, Meaning it Expends Energy That the Body Requires to Sustain Itself!!
For More Great Info on Fitness and Nutrition, Check Out Our Instagram Posts!!!
And If I Haven’t Said it Before, Namaste, Sugah.
Be Safe.
Take care.
Be Well.
Lisa Whitty Bradley, M.D., FACS
CEO & Founder
Chicks With MDs, LLC
@CHICKSWITHMDS
WWW.CHICKSWITHMDS.COM
Please Follow Us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn
Check Out Our Links for More Great Yoga Posts Over the Next 7 Days!!!
RESOURCES:
http://www.yogajournal.com/article/health/count-yoga-38-ways-yoga-keeps-fit/
http://www.doyouyoga.com/7-fabulous-yoga-poses-to-your-increase-libido/
http://www.osteopathic.org/osteopathic-health/about-your-health/health-conditions-library/general-health/Pages/yoga.aspxs
http://www.beautyandthebeatblog.com/5-free-yoga-resources-beginners/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga
http://www.yogahealthfoundation.org/yoga_month
