Holistic Therapy
 Holistic therapy is a generic term for any treatment
that is intended to treat the individual as a whole (mind,
body and spirit). This term is also often used as a
catch-phrase for complementary or alternative medicine.
Whatever you care to call it, there is a growing trend
toward supplementing traditional medicine with other
methods of healing. Two examples of these are pilates
and yoga.
Pilates
This is a technique invented 70 years ago by Joseph H.
Pilates. It focuses on improving flexibility and strength
for the overall body, but doesn't build bulk. Some of the
first people to use pilates were legendary dancers Martha
Graham and George Balanchine. More than just exercise,
pilates are a series of controlled movements to engage
one's body and mind. It changes muscle recruitment
patterns, correcting common muscle imbalances, restoring
good alignment and natural normal movement.
These are just some of the benefits of Pilates:
greater strength and muscle tone
more efficient respiratory, lymphatic and circulatory systems
better posture
a flatter stomach and trimmer waist
improved flexibility
less incidence of back pain
increased joint mobility
lower stress level
Yoga
Yoga is aimed to unite the mind, the body, and the spirit.
Yogis view that the mind and the body are one, and that if
it is given the right tools and taken to the right
environment, it can find harmony and heal itself. Yoga
therefore is considered therapeutic. It helps you become
more aware of your body's posture, alignment and patterns
of movement. It makes the body more flexible and helps you
relax even in the midst of a stress stricken environment.
This is one of the foremost reasons why people want to
start Practicing Yoga - to feel fitter, be more energetic,
be happier and peaceful.
Some of the main benefits of yoga are:
stable autonomic nervous system equilibrium
pulse rate and respiratory rate decrease
decreased blood pressure
musuclokskeletal flexibility and joint range of motion increase
eye-hand coordination and reaction time improves
energy level increases
weight normalises
posture improves
sleep improves and immunity increases
depth perception and balance improve
mood improves and subjective well-being increases
anxiety and depression decrease
memory, attention and concentration increase
social skills and well-being increase
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