A yoga body isn’t just about flexible limbs. This ancient practice can boost memory, heart, and bone health. We’ve become a nation obsessed with yoga poses and moves, with Brits spending a whopping £790 million annually on yoga classes and gear.
While yoga keeps evolving with trends like rage yoga, naked yoga, and even dog yoga, its real benefits are getting scientific backing. Researchers from UCLA found that a three-month yoga and meditation course is more effective than memory exercises at reducing age-related brain decline. Another study also showed it could improve sleep for breast cancer survivors.
Lucy Edge, a former advertising executive, turned to yoga during a deep depression. She took a six-month break to learn yoga in India, and though she didn’t get the “yoga goddess” body, she found happiness and contentment. She’s written several books about yoga and founded Yoga Meds, a part of her website listing clinical trials demonstrating yoga’s benefits for conditions like arthritis, insomnia, and obesity.
If crossword puzzles and Sudoku have been your go-to for memory training, it might be time to add some yoga into the mix. UCLA’s research involved brain scans and memory tests comparing memory exercises with yoga and meditation over 12 weeks. Those who did yoga and meditation had better memory improvements and reduced depression and anxiety.
You don’t need to spend hours on headstands to benefit. In the UCLA study, participants did just one hour of Kundalini yoga a week, which includes breathing techniques, meditation, and chanting mantras. They also practiced Kirtan Kriya, a meditation involving chanting, hand movements, and visualizing light, for 20 minutes daily.
For heart health, yoga could be just as effective as brisk walking. A 2014 review published in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology suggested yoga helps lower heart disease risk. Reducing stress through yoga is crucial since stress hormones can increase blood pressure and the likelihood of blood clots.
Dr. Mike Knapton from the British Heart Foundation noted that yoga benefits emotional health, helping with anxiety, stress, and depression. Previous research also shows yoga can improve blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight.
Charlotte Watts, a yoga teacher and nutritional therapist, created a series of gentle yoga poses for stress relief in her book “The De-Stress Effect.” Anna Ashby, a senior teacher at Triyoga Studios, suggests Restorative yoga, where postures are supported on bolsters and cushions, allowing the nervous system to relax.
Sarah Shone, a physiotherapist and yoga teacher, integrated yoga into the Primary Care Trust’s rehabilitation program for back pain with significant success. Yoga is recommended by NICE for lower back pain and can also help with incontinence and increasing bone density.
If you’re starting yoga, inform your teacher about any health issues and start with gentle styles like Hatha or Iyengar. Yoga props can enhance your practice, and it’s worth investing in a good mat. Consider the location and transport needs for your mat, and go for a thicker option if you have joint pain.
Healthista recommends the Elephant Cork Yoga mat from Valka Yoga, which combines eco-friendliness and functionality. With a natural rubber base and antimicrobial cork surface, it provides comfort and grip, especially for hot yoga. It also comes with a carry strap and a warranty.
Yoga blocks can help you achieve difficult poses. Cork blocks, though heavier than foam, offer better stability and grip.
Depending on your flexibility and needs, try different yoga styles like Yin, Restorative, Vinyasa Flow, Iyengar, Anusara, or Yoga Therapy to find what works best for you.
