By Ryan Brooks

Yoga has become very popular over the last few years. It seems to be a trend that is here to stay. But, like most people, you might be a little hesitant to jump on the  “bandwagon”. Yoga has many different health benefits. Today, we are going to look 6 of those health benefits.

1. Stress Management – Stress can have a devastating effect on the human body and mind. Stress can cause you to have pain, trouble sleeping, inability to concentrate, and many more negative side effects. Yoga can be very effective in developing coping skills and having a more positive outlook on life. (1)

2. Immune-System Boost – Yoga stretches muscles and moves your organs around, increasing the drainage of lymph. The drainage of lymph helps the lymphatic system fight infections, kill cancer cells, and dispose of toxic waste products in the body. (2)

3. Heart Disease Improvement – In some studies, an 8-week yoga program has increased patients’ capacity to exercise, heart health, and overall quality of life. Yoga also reduces heart disease and arterial plaque. (3)

4. Mental Health/Well-being Improvement – Meditation and breathing is incorporated in yoga. This helps for creating mental clarity and calmness, centered attention, and body awareness. Having self-awareness can also help in detecting any physical problems early, allowing for early preventative actions. (1)

5. Lowered Blood Sugar – For those with diabetes, yoga has been found to lower blood sugar in multiple ways. Yoga lowers blood sugar by decreasing cortisol and adrenaline levels, encouraging weight loss, and improving insulin sensitivity. All of this helps decrease heart attack, kidney failure, blindness, and other diabetic complications. (2)

6. Asthma Improvement – In some studies, and 8-week yoga program has improved asthma symptoms. Yoga uses pranayama, also known as breathing practice. Pranayama has been shown to ease symptoms of asthma. (3)

(1) http://www.osteopathic.org/osteopathic-health/about-your-health/health-conditions-library/general-health/Pages/yoga.aspx

(2) http://www.yogajournal.com/article/health/count-yoga-38-ways-yoga-keeps-fit/

(3) http://www.everydayhealth.com/fitness-pictures/10-surprising-health-perks-of-yoga.aspx

Buddy Broncho

Buddy Broncho made his first appearance in UCO's own newspaper The Vista. It was the October 3, 1932, issue where a Broncho appears wearing a UCO football uniform. He has appeared numerous times throughout the years from local Edmond papers in the 60's to state-wide papers in the 80's. The commissioning of the first ever live mascot appears in UCO's 1979 Bronze Book where Buddy Broncho made his first public appearance at Homecoming. Since that time, Buddy has been a fixture at UCO events and in the hearts of UCO students.