A yoga body isn’t just about flexible limbs; the ancient practice can also boost memory, heart, and bone health. Many people in the UK are now spending around £790 million annually on yoga classes and equipment.
While new types of yoga like rage yoga, naked yoga, and even dog yoga are emerging, science continues to confirm its real health benefits. For instance, UCLA researchers found that a three-month yoga and meditation course was more effective than memory exercises in reducing age-related brain impairment. Another study found yoga improved sleep in breast cancer survivors.
Lucy Edge, a 53-year-old former advertising executive, turned to yoga to combat depression instead of taking prescribed antidepressants. She took a six-month break, traveled to India to study yoga, and returned feeling happier and more content. She has since written three books on yoga and founded Yoga Meds, a section of her website Yogaclicks.com, which lists over 300 clinical trials demonstrating yoga’s benefits for conditions like arthritis, insomnia, and obesity.
Research shows that yoga could have several health benefits. For example, while cognitive exercises like crossword puzzles can help with memory, yoga might be even more effective. A UCLA study involving adults over 55 compared 12 weeks of memory exercises with a yoga and meditation course. Those in the yoga group had better spatial and visual memories and experienced less depression and anxiety.
You don’t need to spend hours doing headstands to see benefits. In the study, participants practiced one hour of Kundalini yoga weekly, along with 20 minutes daily of Kirtan Kriya meditation, which includes chanting and hand movements.
Yoga also helps heart health. A 2014 review in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology found that yoga could lower heart disease risk as effectively as traditional exercise. Stress reduction, a key benefit of yoga, is crucial since stress hormones raise blood pressure and heart rate, increasing the risk of heart disease.
Dr. Mike Knapton from the British Heart Foundation notes that yoga helps with anxiety, stress, and depression, all of which can affect heart disease patients. Yoga can also improve blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight—all risk factors for heart disease.
For those new to yoga, starting with gentle poses like those in Hatha or Iyengar yoga is recommended. Charlotte Watts suggests Restorative yoga to reduce stress, where postures are supported by bolsters and cushions. Sarah Shone, a yoga teacher and physiotherapist, incorporated yoga into a back pain rehabilitation program with great success. Yoga’s benefits extend to improving pelvic floor muscles and bone density.
When starting yoga, inform your teacher of any health issues and choose a gentler style. Yoga can also be adapted for various needs, making it accessible for everyone.
Picking the right yoga mat is essential. Consider where you’ll keep it, whether you’ll need to carry it, and your height. A thicker mat can protect your joints. Healthista recommends the Elephant Cork Yoga Mat from Valka Yoga, which is eco-friendly, durable, and provides good joint support.
Using yoga props like blocks can also aid your practice. Cork blocks offer stability and grip, which is particularly helpful for beginners. Different yoga styles suit different needs. Yin or Restorative yoga is great for relaxation, while Vinyasa Flow is more energetic. Iyengar focuses on precision and alignment, and Anusara combines alignment with upbeat movements.
Yoga Therapy is a specialized form that helps heal specific injuries or illnesses, taught by trained teachers.
