Unlike many other forms of exercise, yoga can be done at any age and with any level of experience. The program encourages enthusiasts to breathe deeply, meditate and perform gentle poses that serve to enhance their overall well-being. People from all over the world have achieved personal growth through this calming regimen, which has also enabled chronically ill individuals to better cope with their condition.
The Toronto Sun reports that a 16-year-old girl, who was completely paralyzed as a result of being born with a rare liver disease, successfully reduced her pain and stress through the practice of yoga. The program in which she participated encouraged her to laugh, which helped her exercise her lungs and vocal muscles. The teenager also regained some motion.
"Three years ago, we weren't sure we'd get to bring her home," her mother, Judith, told the news source. "[Yoga] helped her express her voice again, it helped her feel a lot better – more playful and less stressed."
She added that the doctors and nurses took care of the girl's physical health, while yoga strengthened her spiritual well-being.
