Yoga isn’t just about flexibility; it’s also great for boosting memory, and promoting heart and bone health. The UK’s fascination with yoga is evident, with people spending a whopping £790 million annually on yoga classes and mats. While some quirky yoga styles have emerged—like rage yoga or dog yoga—the genuine health benefits of yoga are being continually validated by scientific research.
Research from UCLA indicates that a three-month course of yoga and meditation is more effective than traditional memory exercises in countering age-related brain decline. In another study, yoga was also shown to improve the sleep quality of breast cancer survivors. When Lucy Edge, formerly working in advertising, faced deep depression, she turned to yoga instead of antidepressants. Her journey to India and subsequent practice of yoga brought her a level of happiness and contentment she’d never experienced before. Today, Lucy has written several books about yoga and created Yoga Meds, a platform highlighting over 300 clinical trials on yoga’s benefits for issues ranging from arthritis to insomnia.
If you’re used to exercising your mind with puzzles, consider switching to a more physical approach, like the warrior pose. A study compared 12 weeks of yoga and meditation to memory exercises in adults over 55, showing yoga’s superiority in enhancing spatial and visual memory, reducing anxiety and depression, and improving stress resilience. Though the study was small, it suggests further exploration into yoga and meditation for heart and brain health as we age.
For heart health, you don’t necessarily need to pound the pavement—gentle yoga might be a good alternative. A 2014 review found that yoga can reduce heart disease risks as effectively as conventional exercise. Stress, a major factor in heart disease, can be managed through yoga, as it lowers stress hormones, blood pressure, and heart rate.
To start, try simple yoga poses. Charlotte Watts, a yoga teacher, has developed a beginner-friendly series aimed at reducing stress. Anna Ashby from Triyoga Studios recommends Restorative yoga, which involves supported postures held for extended periods to help the nervous system and quickly reduce stress.
Sara Shone, a yoga teacher and physiotherapist, found yoga so effective that she integrated it into a rehab program for back pain. An impressive 87% of participants reported pain reductions. NICE guidelines recommend yoga for lower back pain, and Shone stresses its deeper benefits, encouraging physiotherapists to incorporate yoga in treatments.
Yoga is also great for improving pelvic floor strength, increasing bone density, and offering adaptable exercises suitable for everyone. Beginners should communicate any health issues to their instructors and start with gentle yoga styles like Hatha or Iyengar. Specific health conditions might qualify for subsidized yoga courses through exercise referral schemes.
For the best yoga experience, having the right props is crucial. Consider your mat’s home, weight, and length—especially if you’re tall—and invest in a thicker option to protect your joints. Healthista suggests an eco-friendly Elephant Cork Yoga mat by Valka Yoga, priced at £69.95, which combines organic materials and a design that enhances your living space. The cork mat is antimicrobial and resistant to odors, providing excellent grip even when wet. It comes with a carry strap and features a guarantee and replacement warranty.
Adding a matching Valka yoga block for £19.95 can help ease into challenging poses and assist with stability, thanks to its cork material. Yoga props are vital, regardless of your flexibility level, and various styles—like Yin, Vinyasa Flow, Iyengar, Anusara, and Yoga Therapy—offer different benefits, often adaptable for beginners.
For a complete yoga guide, Lucy Edge’s book “Down Dog Billionaire” is available on Amazon.
