The deep breathing and relaxation prescribed by yoga is beneficial in improving blood circulation, maintaining muscle tone and flexibility, and increasing the levels of mood-regulating chemicals in the brain, among other advantages. Yoga massages the internal organs, nourishing them with increased blood circulation, as well as toning the interior and exterior muscles.
Yoga provides weight-bearing exercise that encourages strong bones.
And it can contribute to lower cholesterol and improve the efficiency of the heart. Thus it is beneficial for osteoporosis and heart disease, two concerns of menopausal women. Yoga sessions include a combination of breathing exercises, warm-ups, poses, and meditation. In one of the few studies concerned with hot flashes and body management, researchers at the Wayne State University School of Medicine studied 33 women with frequent hot flashes and their responses to deep breathing, muscle relaxation, and brain-wave biofeedback. Deep breathing was associated with a significant reduction in the frequency of hot flashes, while the other two techniques had no effect.