Stress management: Practicing yoga to relax

Why try yoga for relaxation?

Doing yoga may reduce stress and anxiety. It can also help your body to be more flexible. Several studies have shown that yoga has health benefits such as improving a person's sense of well-being, helping to lower blood pressure, and helping people who have asthma learn to breathe more easily.

If you have a health condition, talk to your doctor or certified yoga instructor before you start a yoga program. Doing yoga should not cause pain. If you feel any pain when you do these poses, stop. Talk to a yoga instructor about how to modify the pose. Or ask him or her to teach you a different pose that doesn't cause pain.

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Author:	Merrill Hayden	Last Updated: July 14, 2008
Medical Review:	Catherine D. Serio, PhD - Behavioral Health David A. Fleckenstein, MPT - Physical Therapy
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