YOGA FOR BONE HEALTH
By Cathleen (Cat) Reid
CatFit Yoga
Yoga has been in the spotlight
for several years now due to the
numerous benefits of the practice.
Most people come to yoga
for stress relief, to increase their
flexibility and to get in better
shape. Research has shown that
one of the many benefits of
yoga is the potential to prevent
or slow down and even reverse
osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a disease
that afflicts over 200 million
people worldwide, according
to the International Osteoporosis
Foundation. Due to these
numbers, osteoporosis is considered
a major health problem.
This disease is characterized by
weak, thinning bones that can
lead to fractures. Common
fractures associated with osteoporosis
involve the hip, spine
and wrist.
A sedentary lifestyle has
been shown to increase the
possibility of developing osteoporosis.
Stressing your bones
by exercising is a healthy way
to increase your bone density.
Walking, climbing stairs,
weight lifting and yoga can all
help to strengthen your bones.
If you have already begun to
lose bone mass, some exercises
may put too much stress on
the knees, ankles and lumbar
spine. Walking and running
are only strengthening your
lower body. You also need to
include activities that strengthen
14 Healthy Living | Spring Issue | 2018
the upper body. Yoga is an
activity that many people find
easy to fit into their lives. It is a
way to help you to not only increase
your strength, flexibility
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