Yoga offers a good means of relaxation and stress relief. Its quiet, precise movements focus your mind less on your busy day and more on the moment as you move your body through poses that require balance and concentration.

Other health benefits of yoga include:

* Increased flexibility. As you learn and refine new poses- such as touching your toes - you'll find that each time you practice, you can reach a little farther. More range of motion means you'll be less likely to injure yourself in other physical activities.
* Management of chronic health conditions. The breathing and relaxation methods used in yoga might help you if you have asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome, depression, low back pain, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis of the knees or memory problems. Yoga can also be helpful when combined with other therapies for heart disease and high blood pressure. Yoga, when combined with a vegetarian diet, aerobic exercise and medication, has reduced cardiovascular disease rates and blood pressure levels.
* Weight loss. If you're overweight, yoga may help you make the healthy lifestyle changes necessary to drop those extra pounds.
* Balance. Yoga classes tailored for elderly adults can help them stay steady on their feet and avoid falls and hip fractures.
* Coping with cancer. People with cancer and their caregivers who practice yoga may improve their quality of life and sleep better at night.
* Alzheimer's caregiver stress and fatigue. Yoga practice may help family caregivers by boosting their mood and ability to cope and manage stress.