Yoga offers so much more than just flexible limbs—it can actually boost your memory, heart health, and bone strength. It’s no wonder that yoga has become a favorite pastime here in the UK, with people spending around £790 million annually on classes and mats.
While yoga practices can get pretty eclectic—think naked or dog yoga—its real benefits are increasingly backed by science. For instance, UCLA researchers found that a three-month yoga and meditation course was more effective at reducing age-related brain changes compared to memory exercises alone. Another study highlighted how yoga can improve sleep in breast cancer survivors.
Lucy Edge, a former advertising exec, turned to yoga during a severe depression. She ditched prescribed anti-depressants, took a break to learn yoga in India, and returned feeling happier and content beyond expectation. Inspired by her experience, she authored three yoga books and founded Yoga Meds, which compiles over 300 clinical trials showcasing yoga’s benefits for various conditions.
If your brain workout has been limited to crossword puzzles and Sudoku, you might want to try yoga for a change. That UCLA study involved 25 adults over 55 and compared 12 weeks of memory exercises with a yoga and meditation course. The yoga group showed better improvements in memory, reduced depression and anxiety, and increased resilience to stress.
Don’t stress if headstands aren’t your thing. The study participants only did one hour of Kundalini yoga a week, a gentle practice combining breathing techniques, meditation, and some mantra chanting. Additionally, they practiced 20 minutes of Kirtan Kriya daily, a meditation involving chanting and hand movements.
Yoga’s benefits go way beyond brain health. A 2014 review published in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology found that yoga might lower heart disease risk as effectively as brisk walking. This is because stress, a major heart disease factor, can be managed through yoga, helping to reduce blood pressure and heart rate.
Physiotherapist and yoga teacher Sarah Shone incorporated yoga into a rehabilitation program for back pain, with a surprising 87% of participants experiencing pain relief. The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) recognizes yoga and stretching as beneficial for lower back pain, with potential advantages to even deeper health issues.
Yoga is also great for pelvic floor muscles and can help increase bone density since it’s a weight-bearing activity. If you’re new to yoga, consider starting with gentle styles like Hatha or Iyengar and always inform your teacher of any health concerns. For specific conditions like back pain, discuss with your doctor about possible subsidized yoga classes through an exercise referral scheme.
As for yoga props, invest in a quality yoga mat that suits your needs. Consider its thickness, weight, and length to ensure comfort and ease of transport. One recommended choice is the Elephant Cork Yoga mat from Valka Yoga, which is eco-friendly, durable, and offers excellent joint support.
To aid in certain poses, a cork yoga block can be really useful. It’s sturdy, provides good grip, and is particularly helpful if you need a bit of extra length to reach the ground.
There are many styles of yoga to choose from, whether you seek relaxation or a dynamic workout. For a calming practice, try Yin or Restorative yoga. If you want something more energetic, Vinyasa Flow could be for you. Precise yoga styles like Iyengar or modern forms like Anusara are also fantastic options.
For tailored therapeutic benefits, consider Yoga Therapy, especially if you have specific health issues.
With so many options, there’s a yoga style for everyone, regardless of flexibility.
