A yoga body isn’t just about flexible limbs; the ancient practice can also boost memory, heart, and bone health, says Anna Magee.
In the UK, yoga has become incredibly popular, with people spending around £790 million each year on yoga classes and equipment. While some trends like rage yoga or yoga with dogs might seem odd, science is backing up the real benefits of traditional yoga.
Researchers from UCLA found that a three-month yoga and meditation course was better than memory exercises for reducing age-related brain impairment. Another study showed improved sleep in breast cancer survivors practicing yoga. For instance, Lucy Edge, a former advertising executive, turned to yoga during a deep depression. Choosing yoga over prescribed antidepressants, she took a break to learn yoga in India. Though she didn’t acquire the perfect “yoga body,” she returned feeling happier and more content. She has since written books about yoga and created Yoga Meds, a section on her website listing over 300 clinical trials showing yoga’s benefits for conditions like arthritis, insomnia, and obesity.
The UCLA study involving 25 adults over 55 who practiced Kundalini yoga and daily Kirtan Kriya meditation revealed better spatial and visual memory improvements, reduced depression and anxiety, and increased resilience to stress compared to traditional memory exercises. Though preliminary, the results suggest further research could support yoga and meditation for cognitive and heart health.
You don’t need hours of intense yoga to gain the benefits. In the UCLA study, participants did just one hour of Kundalini yoga per week and 20 minutes daily of Kirtan Kriya, a meditation involving chanting, hand movements, and light visualization. Stress, a significant contributor to heart disease, can be alleviated through yoga, which helps lower blood pressure and heart rate. A 2014 review highlighted that yoga might reduce heart disease risk as effectively as conventional exercises like brisk walking.
For those new to yoga or seeking stress relief, starting with gentle forms like Restorative yoga or sequences from Charlotte Watts’ book could be beneficial. Postures supported with bolsters or cushions provide a break for the nervous system, fostering stress reduction.
Sarah Shone, a physiotherapist and yoga teacher, integrated yoga into her rehabilitation program for back pain, with 87% of participants experiencing pain reduction. Guidelines also endorse yoga for lower back pain. Shone emphasizes informing your teacher about health issues and starting with gentler styles like Hatha or Iyengar yoga.
When choosing a yoga mat, consider its location, weight for portability, and your height to ensure comfort during practice. A thicker mat can offer joint protection. Valka Yoga’s Elephant Cork Yoga Mat is eco-friendly, comfortable, and comes with a carry strap and guarantees, making it a good choice.
Flexible or not, yoga can help. Beginners might enjoy Yin or Restorative yoga for a relaxed pace, or Iyengar yoga which uses props for pose alignment. Anusara yoga combines alignment with flow, often to upbeat music, boosting mood. Yoga Therapy focuses on healing and is suitable for specific conditions.
Lucy Edge’s book “Down Dog Billionaire” is available on Amazon.
