A yoga body isn’t just about flexibility. This age-old practice can also boost your memory, heart, and bone health.
Across the UK, people are spending a whopping £790 million annually on yoga classes and mats. The yoga craze is everywhere, from bizarre hybrids like rage yoga, naked yoga, yoga poses on paddleboards, horseback, and even dog yoga, to science-backed evidence of its real benefits.
Researchers at UCLA discovered that a three-month course of yoga and meditation was more effective at minimizing age-related brain deterioration than standard memory exercises. It also improved sleep quality for breast cancer survivors. Lucy Edge, a 53-year-old former advertising executive, faced deep depression and chose yoga over prescribed antidepressants. After a six-month break to learn yoga in India, she came back happier and more content than ever before. She has written three books on yoga and started Yoga Meds, a website section listing over 300 clinical trials proving yoga’s benefits for conditions ranging from arthritis to insomnia and obesity.
Some ways yoga could benefit your health include improving memory, reducing stress, and managing heart disease.
For memory improvement, UCLA research compared brain scans and memory tests of over-55 participants who undertook memory exercises and yoga/meditation courses for 12 weeks. Yoga participants showed better spatial and visual memory, less depression and anxiety, and increased stress resilience. Try one hour of Kundalini yoga weekly, which includes breathing techniques, meditation, and some chanting.
Yoga is beneficial for heart health too. According to a 2014 review published in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology, yoga may reduce heart disease risks as effectively as conventional exercises like brisk walking. Reducing stress through yoga can lower blood pressure and heart rate, decreasing the chance of blood clots. Charlotte Watts and Anna Ashby recommend gentle and restorative yoga for stress relief. These practices use bolsters and cushions to support postures, giving your nervous system a break.
Sarah Shone, a musculoskeletal physiotherapist and yoga teacher, developed yoga classes for back pain, which were later incorporated into rehabilitation programs. An impressive 87% of participants reported pain reduction. Yoga is also included in NICE guidelines for lower back pain and can help with incontinence and bone density, targeting pelvic floor muscles and being weight-bearing.
When starting yoga, it’s essential to inform your teacher of any health issues and opt for gentler styles like Hatha or Iyengar, especially if you’re dealing with conditions such as back pain.
Investing in the right yoga mat can also make a significant difference. Consider where you will use it, how often you’ll carry it, your height, and the mat’s thickness. A thicker mat can protect your joints, especially if you suffer from knee or wrist pain. The eye-catching Elephant Cork Yoga mat from Valka Yoga, made from organic cork and natural rubber, provides padding and comfort for joints. It’s eco-friendly, antimicrobial, and odor-resistant.
Additionally, a yoga block, like the Valka one with a matching elephant design, can offer extra support and help you achieve poses more comfortably. Cork blocks are beneficial for stability and grip, making them a popular choice.
If you’re a beginner or not very flexible, consider trying Yin or Restorative yoga classes, which use blankets, cushions, and bolsters for support under candlelight. Vinyasa Flow offers an energetic, dance-like sequence of postures linked to breath, adaptable for beginners. Iyengar yoga focuses on precision and alignment, using props for support. Anusara yoga combines alignment with flowing movements, often to upbeat music. Yoga Therapy is a specialized form used for healing injuries or illnesses.
Whether you’re new to yoga or a seasoned practitioner, these tips and insights can help you make the most of your practice.
