A yoga body is more than just flexible limbs; yoga can also boost memory, heart, and bone health, according to Anna Magee.
Yoga has become a huge trend in the UK, with Brits spending around £790 million a year on classes and mats. While yoga continues to introduce unusual styles like rage yoga, paddle-board yoga, and even dog yoga, science is increasingly validating its benefits.
Researchers at UCLA found that a three-month yoga and meditation course was more effective in reducing age-related brain impairment than memory exercises, and it also improved sleep for breast cancer survivors.
Lucy Edge, formerly in advertising, turned to yoga when battling depression. Instead of taking prescribed antidepressants, she chose yoga, taking a six-month career break to study in India. She returned feeling happier and more content. Lucy has since written three books on yoga and created Yoga Meds, featuring over 300 clinical trials showing yoga’s benefits for various conditions.
If crossword puzzles and Sudoku have been your go-to brain exercises, it might be time to try yoga. A UCLA study on adults over 55 showed that a 12-week yoga and meditation course led to better memory improvement, reduced depression, anxiety, and greater stress resilience, compared to traditional memory exercises.
For heart health, yoga is a gentle but effective option. A 2014 study published in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology found that yoga could lower heart disease risk as effectively as activities like brisk walking. Stress, a major heart disease contributor, is effectively reduced through yoga due to its calming effects. Charlotte Watts and Anna Ashby recommend gentle yoga forms like Restorative yoga for stress reduction.
Yoga also shows promise in pain relief. Sarah Shone, a physiotherapist and yoga teacher, incorporated yoga into a Primary Care Trust rehabilitation program for back pain, with 87% of participants reporting pain reduction. Yoga is included in the National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines as a beneficial exercise for lower back pain. Besides pain relief, yoga can help prevent incontinence and improve bone density due to its focus on the pelvic floor and weight-bearing exercises.
Starting yoga can be simple. Inform your teacher about any health conditions and choose gentle styles like Hatha or Iyengar yoga. If you have specific conditions like back pain, consult your doctor about possible subsidized yoga classes through an exercise referral scheme.
Choosing the right yoga mat is essential. Consider where you’ll store it and if you’ll be carrying it around often. A thicker mat can protect your joints better, especially if you experience knee or wrist pain. For example, the Elephant Cork Yoga mat from Valka Yoga is eco-friendly and provides good joint support and grip, even in sweaty conditions. It also comes with a one-year replacement warranty and a 15-day money-back guarantee.
Yoga blocks are also helpful, particularly cork blocks, which offer stability and grip. They can make challenging poses more accessible by providing extra support and length.
Different yoga styles cater to various needs. Yin or Restorative yoga classes, often held with props and under candlelight, are perfect for relaxation. Vinyasa Flow classes are more energetic and link movements with breath. Iyengar yoga focuses on precise postures with a longer hold, making it beginner-friendly with the use of props. Anusara yoga combines alignment with flowing movements to upbeat music. Yoga Therapy is tailored to help heal specific injuries or illnesses.
Whether you’re new to yoga or an experienced practitioner, these tips and yoga styles can help you find a practice that suits your needs and enhance your overall health and wellbeing.
