A yoga body isn’t just about flexible limbs. The ancient practice can improve memory, heart health, and bone strength, says Anna Magee.
We’ve become quite obsessed with yoga in the UK, with people spending an impressive £790 million a year on classes and mats. While yoga has taken on some strange forms lately—like rage yoga, naked yoga, paddle-board yoga, and even dog yoga—its real benefits are continuously backed by science.
Researchers at UCLA found that a three-month course of yoga and meditation was more effective than memory exercises in reducing age-related brain impairment. It also improved sleep in breast cancer survivors.
When Lucy Edge, a former advertising executive, fell into a deep depression, she chose yoga over the prescribed anti-depressants. She took a six-month career break and went to India to learn yoga. Although she didn’t achieve the ‘yoga goddess’ body, she returned happier and more content. She has since written three books on yoga and started Yoga Meds, listing over 300 clinical trials proving yoga’s benefits for various conditions like arthritis, insomnia, and obesity.
Studies suggest yoga might help improve your memory more than traditional brain exercises. UCLA’s research involved brain scans and memory tests on adults over 55. Those who practiced yoga and meditation had better improvements in memory, reduced depression, and lower anxiety.
Yoga is not just for memory; it can also be good for your heart. A review published in 2014 in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology found that yoga could lower heart disease risk as much as traditional exercise. Yoga helps reduce stress, which is a major contributor to heart disease. Stress raises blood pressure and heart rate, which can lead to blood clots.
Charlotte Watts, a yoga teacher, and nutritional therapist, created a series of stress-reducing yoga poses perfect for beginners. Anna Ashby, a senior teacher at Triyoga Studios, suggests Restorative yoga, which involves supported postures held for up to 12 minutes, to help reduce stress.
Yoga also benefits those with back pain. Sarah Shone, a musculoskeletal physiotherapist and yoga teacher, developed classes for back pain rehabilitation. A significant 87% of participants reported a reduction in pain. The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) includes yoga as a recommended exercise for lower back pain.
Incontinence can also be managed through yoga as it strengthens pelvic floor muscles and increases bone density. It’s essential to inform your instructor of any health problems and start with gentler styles like Hatha or Iyengar yoga.
For those looking to practice yoga, a good yoga mat is essential. Consider where you’ll store your mat and if you’ll carry it often. A thicker mat can protect your joints, and an eco-friendly option like the Valka Yoga mat from Valka Yoga is a good choice. Made from organic cork and natural rubber, it’s durable, antimicrobial, and odor-resistant. It even comes with a one-year replacement warranty.
Cork yoga blocks, like those from Valka Yoga, can make challenging poses more accessible. They help with stability and grip, making them a useful addition to your practice.
No matter your flexibility level, yoga is beneficial. Try Yin or Restorative yoga classes for relaxation or Vinyasa Flow for a more energetic practice. Iyengar yoga focuses on precise alignment, while Anusara combines alignment with flowing movements. Yoga Therapy uses yoga to help heal injury or illness, making it beneficial for those with specific health issues.
Lucy Edge’s latest book, “Down Dog Billionaire,” is available on Amazon.
