Benefits of Yoga | Video

Jessica Roose | 8/7/2012

Melissa Doherty has been teaching yoga since she gave birth to her son four years ago.

"I had a lot of problems with my back and after I had him I had a really hard time running. So I started doing yoga and it really helped my back. It started taking me out of that painful run and into a more successful run."

She says the benefits of yoga beyond just helping with back problems. She says studies have shown that yoga can reduce blood pressure, help with heart problems, increase strength and flexibility as well as lower stress and increase relaxation.

Jina Huck has made yoga a part of her life, attending classes several times a week for the last few years.

"I really just like the non-competitive aspect of it and it feels really good. I always say it feels like a free massage afterwards. Just because you can back off when you need to and push yourself when you want to. It`s just relaxing at the same time strengthening and really good for your mind and just to kinda clear your mind for that 45-minutes or an hour whenever your doing it."

If you`ve never done yoga before, Doherty says you shouldn`t feel intimidated.

"Some folks are going to be in the class and come from a crazy background where they can stand on their hands and there`s folks that can`t touch their toes and everybody works at their own pace. That`s kinda the beauty of yoga, is you do what your body needs and not what you know your neighbor is doing."

Those who attended last weekend`s class say you will feel refreshed when the class is over.

Doherty also teaches on Monday and Wednesday nights on the Capitol lawn.

For more information, go to prairiesunyoga.com.

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