by josie
Yoga’s benefits are deeper than the strength and flexibility displayed here by PranaVayu founder David Magone. The mind-body connection also eases stress.
Yoga is so effective in improving flexibility and strength, I find it’s easy to overlook another primary benefit: It develops a mind-body connection that eases stress.
And that’s no small thing. A new study from researchers at Harvard Medical School, Yale University and Brigham and Women’s Hospital showed that women who suffer from high job strain (high demand, low control) were 38 percent more likely to experience a cardiovascular disease event — a stroke or heart attack, or example — than those who did not. You may not be able to change your work situation, but you can help yourself by starting — or restarting — a yoga practice today.
“Yoga uses your body to induce meditative states of awareness,” says David Magone, the 35-year-old Boston-based founder of PranaVayu yoga, who has the body of a dancer and the calm, strong voice of a stage actor.
It’s not just the focus on breathing that creates a meditative state, Magone says, but the deep stretching synchronized with breathing that can take the mind off work or other stressful topics. “Stretching redirects the mind,” he says, “and the postures release physical tension. The combination of focusing on the body and the breathing helps the mind to begin to clear.”
Meditation plays a major part in PranaVayu, described as an American style of Vinyasa yoga. Magone’s Boston-area classes at The Sports Club/L.A. and Exhale Spa begin with breathing exercises, then move into stretches and poses — giving the body a strong workout — and just when the muscles want to relax, he ends with a 15-minute guided meditation in savasana. “If you’re just lying on floor you might start thinking about work,” he says, which is why guided meditation is so important.
Magone’s 70-minute intermediate PranaVayu practice ($7.99-$9.95), available at MyYogaOnline.com features an easy-to-follow session designed to improve strength and flexibility. (Several shorter videos also are available.) Check out “Elevate,” in which he demonstrates a stress-relieving move for the head, neck and shoulders.
Even if you don’t do yoga, Magone has a simple meditation technique can help reduce stress in your life. “When you wake up, meditate for 5 minutes — this will set a calm tone to the day, so you’re less reactive,” Magone says. “Meditate at the end of day before bed, to clear away effects of stress. Concentration can cut through your thought process.” It couldn’t be easier: Count every exhale, up to 21 total. “If the mind wanders off, start at one again,” he says.
Have you seen benefits from increasing your mind-body connection?
