A high school senior feels stressed by school demands and college applications. Which statement explains why yoga could be added to their fitness plan?

• A. Deep conscious breathing stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system.
• B. Yoga increases bone density the most.
• C. Yoga reduces dietary needs.
• D. Yoga guarantees weight loss.

Answer: (A)

Deep, conscious breathing in yoga activates the body's relaxation response by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system. This shift toward rest-and-digest lowers heart rate, reduces blood pressure, and curbs stress hormones, helping calm the mind. For a student facing heavy school demands and college applications, that calm can translate into better focus, improved sleep, and greater resilience during stressful days. Adding yoga to a fitness plan provides a practical tool for managing stress alongside other physical activities, supporting overall well-being.

Other statements aren’t accurate representations of yoga’s effects: it isn’t the primary means by which bone density increases, and it doesn’t reduce dietary needs or guarantee weight loss.