Yoga IS A Stress Reliever

For over a year now I have participated in a class of Zumba two times a week.  This is great cardio.  Recently I have been in a position to also try yoga.  Yoga is great for stress relief.  I wish I have investigated this earlier.

The hour or longer you spend doing the poses and breathing lowers and calms you from the stresses of the world.  I believe women hold much of their stress in their bellies and this creates the belly fat.  Women have stress from:

• Being a single mother - not enough money, time, child rearing support, etc.
• Grown children - getting pregnant young, getting divorced, health issues
• Job loss - unmarketable age, not keeping up with new  methods
• Spouses with their issues
• Elderly parents

Have you ever noticed that in one morning or afternoon your belly has grown into the size of a 6 month pregnant state?  It is a  hormonal stress survival reaction that occurs in women.  It automatically stores your belly fat.  I don't know how handy this is going to be during a stress related issue as I have not found a use for it yet.

This is where yoga is beneficial, it concentrates on your breathing along with the poses and stretches.  There are no demands on your body or heart rate.  You do the movements as your body allows you.  No one in the room looks the same - that is if you can look around.  I find myself totally into what I am doing and breathing technique.  Breathing and stretching in this manner, I believe, allows oxygen into the blood stream which in turn has the calming effect.


If you would like a preview do some research on YouTube, there a different techniques.  Find a class near by and make sure to let the instructor know you are a beginner.  They usually have extra mats, however for less than $20 you can purchase your own.  Try it in a class setting or do it in the privacy of your own home.