A yoga body isn’t just about flexible limbs; it can boost memory, heart health, and bone strength, says Anna Magee.
In the UK, yoga has become extremely popular, with people spending £790 million annually on classes and mats. While some yoga trends might seem strange—like rage yoga, naked yoga, or even dog yoga—the real benefits are increasingly supported by science.
Researchers from UCLA found that a three-month yoga and meditation course was more effective at reducing age-related brain impairment than memory exercises. Another study showed yoga helped improve sleep for breast cancer survivors.
When Lucy Edge, a 53-year-old former advertising executive, faced deep depression, she turned to yoga instead of prescribed anti-depressants. She took a six-month break to study yoga in India and returned happier and more content. She has now written three books on yoga and created Yoga Meds, listing numerous clinical trials demonstrating yoga’s benefits for various conditions, from arthritis to obesity.
Several studies highlight yoga’s mental health benefits. For instance, the UCLA study revealed that practicing yoga and meditation for 12 weeks improved spatial and visual memory, reduced depression, anxiety, and increased resilience to stress for people over 55.
You don’t have to do hours of headstands to benefit. The study participants practiced Kundalini yoga—a gentle form of yoga that includes breathing techniques, meditation, and some chanting—along with 20 minutes daily of Kirtan Kriya, involving chanting, hand movements, and visualizing light.
Yoga is also beneficial for heart health. A systematic review published in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology in 2014 showed yoga could lower heart disease risk as effectively as conventional exercises like brisk walking. Stress, a major contributor to heart disease, can be reduced through yoga, which lowers blood pressure and heart rate.
Charlotte Watts, a yoga teacher and nutritional therapist, developed a series of stress-reducing poses for beginners. Restorative yoga, recommended by Anna Ashby from Triyoga Studios, uses bolsters and cushions to support postures held for up to 12 minutes, providing a fast-track to stress reduction.
Sarah Shone, a musculoskeletal physiotherapist and yoga teacher, introduced yoga classes that significantly reduced back pain for participants. The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) recognizes yoga for lower back pain, emphasizing its deeper benefits, including strengthening pelvic floor muscles and increasing bone density.
If you’re new to yoga, start with gentle styles like Hatha or Iyengar and inform your teacher about any health concerns. For specific conditions, check if you qualify for a subsidized yoga course through an exercise referral scheme.
Choosing the right yoga mat is essential. Consider where you’ll use it, whether you need it portable, how thick it should be to protect your joints, and your height. A thicker, durable mat can provide the necessary cushioning and support.
Healthista recommends the eco-friendly Elephant Cork Yoga mat from Valka Yoga, which is made from 100% renewable and recyclable materials. It’s 3mm thick, providing joint protection, and features a naturally antimicrobial and odor-resistant cork surface.
For added support, Valka Yoga also offers matching cork yoga blocks, which provide stability and grip for difficult poses.
Whether you’re flexible or not, yoga can help. Different styles like Yin, Restorative, Vinyasa Flow, Iyengar, Anusara, and Yoga Therapy offer various benefits, from relaxation to healing injuries.
Lucy Edge’s latest book, “Down Dog Billionaire,” is available on Amazon.
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