Title: Yoga: The Alternate RouteTo A Stress-Free Street Word Count: 582 Summary: Attaining a peaceful and stress free life can be very difficult. But one technique that can help one achieve tranquility is the time tested practice called yoga. Yoga exercises are proven to be stress relievers. Yoga exercises develop elasticity in the diaphragm that will address this problem so that when it is stretched, it can handle any amount of stress. Keywords: yoga, stress Article Body: If you are searching for a proven means to attain a healthy body in a healthy mind, then this time-tested system is for you. It is intensively researched and molded into a combined system by the Indian gurus down the ages. Be it spiritual, mental or physical, this technique can be practiced by anybody at any age to gain discipline. Yoga deals with all levels of your being. It includes your relationship with the world and with yourself. It deals with the senses, body, breath, all the levels of mind, and that which is beyond your mind, often called spirit, soul, consciousness, or Self. There are many forms of yoga, and all have a spiritual component. Most Westerners practice hatha yoga, which focuses on the physical aspects. Yoga teaches you a series of stationary and moving poses called asanas and a form of breath control known as pranayama, as well as concentration techniques. Yoga postures are designed to balance the different systems of the body, including the central nervous, the endocrine, glandular, and the digestive systems. By slowing down your mental activity, taking your mind off the causes of stress, and having you gently stretch your body in ways that massage your internal organs, yoga helps you create dynamic peacefulness within yourself. Some of the health benefits of Yoga are: · Increases stamina · Strengthens and tones muscles · Improves flexibility and joint mobility · Improves digestion · Lowers cholesterol and blood sugar levels · Boosts immune response · Improves circulation Yoga has also its mental benefits such as: · Relaxes the mind and body · Relieves chronic stress patterns in the body · Increases positive body awareness · Centers attention · Sharpens concentration · Frees the spirit. The Eastern practice of yoga is also an excellent and effective stress-reducing forms of exercise. According to the science of yoga, the diaphragm is the seat of the intelligence of the heart and the window to the soul. However, during stressful situations, when you inhale and exhale, the diaphragm becomes too tight and alter its shape. Yoga exercises develop elasticity in the diaphragm that will address this problem so that when it is stretched, it can handle any amount of stress, whether intellectual, emotional, or physical. The slow and effortless breathing during the practice of yoga, triggers a sense of calm and well-being to the body cells. It relaxes the facial muscles and releases all tension from the organs of the senses such as the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin. When this happens, the brain, which is in constant communication with these organs learns to relax and become still and rested. When you attain this state of control, invading fears and anxieties can not penetrate the brain. When you develop this ability, you perform your daily activities with efficiency and ease. You do not use up all your valuable energy but you enter a mood of true clarity of intellect. If somebody wishes to have a better quality of life, stop complaining and start to make better decisions. It has been proven that negative emotions can trigger illness and even death. When one is in tune with himself, his body, mind and soul, there are a lot of reasons to actually live the life you always want. Yoga is the spiritual path through which one will have to tread to reach one’s destination. And, to reach that goal, one should be dedicated to follow the road signs. Yoga is an alternative route where your mind can be filled with calm and tranquility and be stress-free!