A yoga body isn’t just about flexibility; it can boost memory, heart, and bone health according to Anna Magee. Yoga’s popularity has soared, with Brits spending £790 million annually on classes and mats. While new forms of yoga, such as rage yoga or dog yoga, emerge, scientific research keeps proving yoga’s real benefits.
Studies from UCLA found that a three-month yoga and meditation course improved age-related brain impairments better than memory exercises and also helped breast cancer survivors sleep better. For example, Lucy Edge, 53, chose yoga over anti-depressants during her depression. After a six-month break in India, she returned happier and content, though she didn’t achieve the ‘yoga body’. She has since written books and created ‘Yoga Meds,’ documenting yoga’s clinical benefits for issues like arthritis and insomnia.
Yoga can enhance memory more than puzzles like crosswords and Sudoku. Research at UCLA showed that seniors over 55 who took yoga and meditation for 12 weeks experienced better memory, less depression and anxiety, and greater stress resilience compared to memory exercises. Dr. Clare Walton from the Alzheimer’s Society suggests more research on yoga’s benefits for aging hearts and brains.
You don’t need hours of yoga to benefit; an hour of weekly Kundalini yoga – a gentle practice combining breathing, meditation, and mantra chanting – sufficed in the study. Additionally, daily 20-minute Kirtan Kriya sessions, which involve chanting, hand movements, and visualization, were beneficial.
Yoga’s gentle nature is a good alternative for heart health. A 2014 review in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology indicated that yoga could lower heart disease risk as much as brisk walking. Yoga lowers blood pressure and heart rate by reducing stress, which is crucial since stress hormones can cause heart problems.
Yoga’s emotional health benefits are well-documented, helping with anxiety, stress, and depression, particularly post-cardiac events. Research has shown yoga can improve blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight, all risk factors for heart disease, according to Dr. Mike Knapton from the British Heart Foundation.
For stress reduction, consider restorative yoga. Anna Ashby from Triyoga Studios in London recommends postures supported by bolsters and cushions, held for up to 12 minutes to give the nervous system a break.
Sarah Shone, a musculoskeletal physiotherapist, developed yoga classes for back pain as part of rehabilitation, with 87 percent of participants reporting reduced pain. The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) endorses yoga for back pain, and Shone aims to train more physiotherapists to use yoga.
Yoga also helps prevent incontinence by targeting pelvic floor muscles and increasing bone density through weight-bearing poses. Adaptable styles like Hatha or Iyengar can make yoga accessible for all. Shone advises telling your teacher about any health issues and considering more gentle styles initially.
When choosing a yoga mat, consider its permanence, weight, transport ease, and thickness. A thicker mat is beneficial for joint protection. Healthista recommends Valka Yoga’s Elephant Cork Yoga mat, which is eco-friendly, durable, and provides good joint cushioning. Cork mats offer better grip when wet and are antimicrobial and odor-resistant.
Additionally, a matching Valka yoga block can aid in achieving difficult poses by providing extra length and stability. Yin or Restorative yoga is great for beginners, offering deep stretches with props. Vinyasa Flow classes link postures to breath in an energetic sequence, adaptable for beginners. Iyengar yoga focuses on precise postures using props, and Anusara yoga combines alignment with flowing movements to upbeat music. Yoga Therapy, practiced by trained teachers, can aid injury or illness recovery.