HATHA YOGA (continued)

MUSCLES & JOINTS

If the joints don't move properly, the brain doesn't receive sensory input, resulting in no output to the muscles e.g. arm - cast - muscles atrophy and skin becomes dry and scaly - lack of muscles signals from the arm join - brain thinks arm no longer exists.

Use it or lose it!

INTERNAL ORGANS AND INVOLUNTARY MUSCLES

Fine for the joints and muscles of the skeleton, but how do we exercise the internal involuntary muscles? Deep muscles in the back that we can't control are often the cause of lower back pain. Reduced activity adversely affects the brain stem too. When we don't move joints and muscles, the amount of electrical signals is less - fewer movement signals allow pain signals to increase - pain signals in the cord cause muscles to go into spasm and decrease even further our desire to move - causing the problem to escalate. The pharmacist has many pills for our pains, but these allow our joints to degenerate painlessly while masking the real problem.

SO WHAT CAN WE DO?

Firstly, we need to understand that our bodies have the necessary equipment to overcome many health problems naturally - we have to learn to use and maintain our bodies correctly.

WHY YOGA?

Eastern seekers have practised yoga for centuries and now the west has grasped it, almost desperately, as a panacea of all evils. Does it cure everything? Unfortunately, like everything it works differently for different people. But with regular practice of Yoga postures and philosophy, the following has been proven true by researchers and practitioners:

Regular practice improves posture; increases intake of oxygen and enhances the functioning of the respiratory, digestive, endocrine, reproductive and elimination systems. Its effect on the emotions is equally beneficial - calming the mind, attuning us to the environment and diminishing insomnia caused by mental restlessness.

Yoga is highly recommended:

- for people in who work in competitive/stressful environments;

- for those who suffer from headaches, back and shoulder aches, allergies and asthma;

- for anyone - kids, big and little, mums, dads, grannies, grandpas - everyone!

- works to unite the split between the mind and body - working to help compulsive behavioural disorder, manic depression and other mental disorders.

- helps us accept present conditions and ourselves by increasing our immediate sense of well being, concentration and calm.