A yoga body isn’t just about flexible limbs. The ancient practice offers numerous health benefits, including improved memory, heart health, and bone strength, says Anna Magee.
These days, yoga has become a huge part of British culture, with people spending around £790 million annually on yoga classes and equipment. While some new trends in yoga might seem odd—like naked yoga or poses on paddle-boards and horseback—the genuine benefits of yoga are being increasingly backed by science.
Researchers at UCLA have found that a three-month course of yoga and meditation can reduce age-related brain impairments more effectively than memory exercises. Another study discovered that it can improve sleep in breast cancer survivors. When former advertising executive Lucy Edge experienced deep depression, she chose yoga over prescribed antidepressants. After a six-month break in India to study yoga, she returned happier and more content, eventually writing three books on yoga and founding Yoga Meds.
If you’re used to memory exercises like crossword puzzles and Sudoku, you might want to try yoga. The UCLA study involved 25 adults over the age of 55. Those who did yoga and meditation showed better improvements in memory, reduced depression and anxiety, and increased stress resilience compared to those who only did memory exercises.
For heart health, plenty of research suggests that yoga may lower heart disease risk as effectively as traditional exercises like brisk walking. Yoga helps reduce stress, a major contributor to heart disease, by lowering stress hormones that increase blood pressure and heart rate. Practicing yoga has shown benefits for emotional health, blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight management—all factors contributing to heart disease.
To get started, beginner-friendly yoga options like gentle Hatha or Iyengar yoga are recommended. Restorative yoga, which involves supported postures held for longer periods, can also reduce stress effectively.
Yoga also aids in managing musculoskeletal issues. Physiotherapist and yoga teacher Sarah Shone found that 87% of her back pain program participants reported pain reduction. Yoga is included in the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines for lower back pain and can be adapted to accommodate various health conditions.
When starting yoga, communicate any health concerns to your instructor and consider if you’re eligible for subsidized classes through exercise referral schemes. Props like a thicker yoga mat can protect your joints, and longer mats may be necessary for taller individuals.
Choosing the right yoga mat involves considering its thickness, weight for portability, and design. Valka Yoga offers eco-friendly mats made from organic cork and natural rubber, which are antimicrobial, odor-resistant, and provide good grip, especially when wet. These mats also include carry straps and a warranty.
Yoga blocks can help with stability in challenging poses. Cork blocks are particularly beneficial for grip and support. If you’re not very flexible, styles like Yin, Restorative, Vinyasa Flow, Iyengar, Anusara, and Yoga Therapy can be great choices, with options to adapt the practice based on your needs.
Lucy Edge’s latest book “Down Dog Billionaire” is available on Amazon.
