| Improves health - strengthens your heart, your | | | | quality of life for people of all ages. Regular |
| bones and your muscles, and helps to control | | | | exercise provides the opportunity for health |
| your weight | | | | benefits for older adults such as a stronger heart, |
| Reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. | | | | a more positive mental outlook and an increased |
| Regular exercise reduces your risk of developing | | | | chance of remaining indefinitely independent—a |
| type 2 diabetes. If you're a woman, overweight | | | | benefit that will become increasingly important as |
| and at a high risk of diabetes, walking can | | | | our population ages in the coming years. |
| improve your body's ability to process sugar | | | | Walking is aerobic exercise. It keeps you fit and it |
| (glucose tolerance). | | | | helps you take off extra weight and keep it off. |
| Manage stress and boost your spirits. Going for a | | | | Obesity has become an epidemic among |
| brisk walk is a great way to reduce stress. | | | | Americans; it is especially troubling that so many |
| Regular walking also can reduce feelings of | | | | American children are now overweight or obese. |
| depression and anxiety. | | | | Numerous studies have shown that lack of |
| Fit walkers are less likely to fall and suffer injuries | | | | exercise is a major factor. |
| such as hip fractures because the bones are | | | | Controlling your blood pressure. Physical activity |
| strengthened; less likely to sustain injury because | | | | strengthens the heart so it can pump more blood |
| joints have a better range of movement and | | | | with less effort and with less pressure on the |
| muscles are more flexible; less prone to | | | | arteries. Staying fit is just as effective as some |
| depression and anxiety; tend to be good sleepers; | | | | medications in keeping down blood pressure levels. |
| and are better able to control body weight. | | | | Although yogis pay close attention and slow |
| Walking is good for your bones. Research shows | | | | down, they may not see all of the movements |
| that postmenopausal women who walk | | | | and stages clearly. The stages may not yet be |
| approximately one mile each day have higher | | | | well-defined in the mind, and they may seem to |
| whole-body bone density than women who walk | | | | constitute only one continuous movement. As |
| shorter distances, and walking is also effective in | | | | concentration grows stronger, yogis will observe |
| slowing the rate of bone loss from the legs. | | | | more and more clearly these different stages in |
| Lunch and Breaks - Significant health benefits can | | | | one step; the four stages at least will be easier to |
| come from just 30 minutes of brisk walking on | | | | distinguish. Yogis will know distinctly that the lifting |
| most days. Lunch and breaks are perfect times | | | | movement is not mixed with the moving forward |
| to get out for some fresh air and a walk around | | | | movement, and they will know that the moving |
| campus. For students, a walk, jog, or run can be | | | | forward movement is not mixed with either the |
| a great break from studying. | | | | lifting movement or the putting down movement. |
| The health benefits of regular physical activity are | | | | They will understand all movements clearly and |
| far-reaching: reduced risk of coronary heart | | | | distinctly. Whatever they are mindful and aware |
| disease, stroke, diabetes, and other chronic | | | | of will be very clear in their minds. |
| diseases; lower health care costs; and improved | | | | |