High intensity interval training and resistance training have become the "in" ways to exercise now, and for anyone who has the ability to perform these types of exercise they are the way to go. But for many people, particularly as they age or if they are just getting into a workout plan, yoga has found a place. As we age flexibility, balance, range of motion and weakness with core muscles become an even greater issues and yoga is designed to impact those issues.
Yoga can be practiced at any age, and even if a person is out of shape or is rehabbing some injury, just about anyone can get some benefit from yoga. Of course when it is used in rehabilitation, certain yoga poses may have to be skipped or adapted to the person with the ailment. But yoga has been used for people with back pain, for instance, and building up strength in the core area will help the rehab. Even with using the support of a wall or chair for support, it can be adapted for people with many ailments.
Research has recently been published linking yoga to having an impact on leptin. This protein hormone, which the effects were first observed in 1950, plays a major role in regulating calorie intake. It is now believed that by regulating this hormone we are able to suppress appetite and therefore hunger, which of course would be a major breakthrough in weight control and reduction. Leptin tells your brain when you are hungry by telling it how much energy is available and what to do with it.
It has been found that those who participate in yoga had a drop in levels of circulating leptin. Frequency of yoga practice along with the amount of time showed a significant drop in these levels. Although more testing has to be done to give more conclusive evidence, it could be that the ability of yoga to relax the body has much to do with keeping the levels of leptin down, and as a result suppressing our appetite.
To get the maximum benefit out of an exercise program, it is best to incorporate a wide variety of exercises. By sticking to an unchanging exercise routine, the body will adapt and the benefits will begin to plateau. Continually challenging the body with different routines, which include interval and strength training, core exercises, plus working balance and stretching into your routines, will provide optimum benefits. Yoga takes in many, but not all of these facets of physical health.
The point is it is never too late to begin an exercise program. There are numerous examples of people who have started exercising when they are elderly, and have experienced significant improvement in range of motion, balance, bone density, strength and mental clarity. But first, let your doctor know what you plan to do so you can get health clearance on a program you can physically handle. Then knowing all the options you have available, dig right in to get started. Just realize that yoga is an excellent option as you age, and many people are now using it to improve their health and weight control as they get older.
Resistance training and other yoga routines are excellent for exercising the core muscles. Diet plays a part, and on our website healtheybalanceddiet we talk about foods that are not only delicious to eat but provide healthy nourishment for the body. Rich Carroll is a writer and avid health advocate now living in Chicago.
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