We don’t often think of Yoga when it comes to pain relief.  But, new research and ancient knowledge are coming together to reveal the healing power of Yoga and its possible benefits for people suffering from moderate joint and muscle pains.

Some people use Yoga as a form of stress relief, gracefully moving into new positions to stretch and tone muscles while relaxing the mind with healing mantras.  In fact, this form of exercise has become so popular that is has been adapted for use in almost any age group.  But, other than its aerobic benefits, all that stretching and calm breathing could help eliminate conditions like tennis elbow and carpal tunnel.

Muscle pain from over activity is usually the result of a lack of oxygen to the muscle when in use, which causes the muscle to contract and cramp.  Stretching before exercise can help prevent muscle strains, so why wouldn’t a regular routine of stretching do the same?  Most professional athletes do not underestimate the power of stretching before a competition but for those individuals who jog, walk, or play the occasional ball game, stretching beforehand can be easily overlooked.  This momentary neglect of you body can then leave you in pain for days to come. 

As with any other exercise, overdoing it on the Yoga mat can leave you in as much pain, if not more, than you’re trying to alleviate.  It is important to practice the movements with a trained Yoga professional prior to performing the exercises on your own.  Once you have mastered the fundamentals, you can use Yoga in the privacy of your own home to spread pain relief to the various parts of your body while also improving mental focus, concentration, and overall attitude.