Does Massage Really Offer Fitness Benefits?

Most people get a massage because it feels good, but do you know what types of fitness benefits massage offers?  In addition to providing stress relief and a reduction in overall anxiety, massage helps sore muscles feel better and can have a positive effect on your capabilities of muscle-building.  If you thought building a muscular body had to be all hard work, you’ll love knowing that massage can offer some pleasing benefits that aren’t as difficult to maintain in your fitness routine!

Massage Improves Circulation and Muscle Nutrition

Studies have shown that there is an increase in the interchange of substances between the tissue and blood cells of the body after a massage.  This interchange increases metabolism of tissue.  After exercising and working out, muscles need nutrients in order to increase their size – so by getting regular massages, you can maximize the amount of oxygen and nutrients that flow through the increase of blood flow and help your body rebuild itself.

Read more

Yoga Benefits Both Mind And Body

If you are looking for a new way to increase your fitness or add diversity to your exercise routine, you may want to consider yoga.  Through body poses, controlled breathing and meditation this ancient practice strives to connect the mind, body and spirit.  Yoga has recently grown in popularity in the western world.  There are many physical and mental benefits to be gained by practicing yoga, a few of which we will touch on below.

Physical Benefits
•    Circulation-  Yoga practices can improve the health of your organs, skin and brain by improving blood circulation which is vital to the delivery of nutrients and oxygen throughout your body.
•    Higher Pain Tolerance-  People who practice yoga regularly tend to have a higher tolerance for pain.  In some cases back pain or other chronic pain is lessened through yoga.

•    Lowers Blood Pressure-  Frequent yoga practice can lower your blood pressure by improving circulation and flow of oxygen throughout the body.
•    Improved Posture-  The practice of yoga and the poses associated with this practice teach participants how to hold and control their body.  This results in better posture.
Read more