A yoga body isn’t just about being super flexible; it can also boost your memory, and heart, and bone health. More and more Brits are diving into yoga, spending an impressive £790 million annually on classes and mats.
Yoga has certainly evolved, introducing quirky variations like rage yoga or dog yoga. But science backs its benefits. For instance, UCLA researchers found that a three-month course of yoga and meditation improved memory better than traditional exercises, and it also helped breast cancer survivors sleep better.
Lucy Edge, a former advertising executive, turned to yoga when she was depressed. She traveled to India to learn yoga, and even though she didn’t get the “yoga goddess” body she hoped for, she returned happier and more content. She wrote three books on yoga and founded Yoga Meds, which documents over 300 clinical trials showing the benefits of yoga on conditions like arthritis, insomnia, and obesity.
If you’re tired of the usual crossword puzzles and Sudoku for memory training, yoga might be for you. The UCLA study showed that after 12 weeks, participants over 55 who practiced yoga and meditation had better spatial and visual memory, less depression and anxiety, and were more resilient to stress. They only did an hour of Kundalini yoga per week and daily 20-minute sessions of Kirtan Kriya meditation, which combines chanting, hand movements, and light visualization.
Yoga isn’t just good for mental health; it benefits the heart too. A 2014 review in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology revealed that yoga could lower the risk of heart disease just as much as conventional exercises like brisk walking. Stress reduction, through yoga, can lower blood pressure and heart rate, reducing the risk of blood clots.
Charlotte Watts, a yoga teacher, and nutritional therapist recommends gentle poses for beginners which she highlights in her book “The De-Stress Effect.” Alternatively, Anna Ashby suggests Restorative yoga, where poses are held for up to 12 minutes to deeply relax the nervous system.
For back pain, yoga proves beneficial too. Physiotherapist Sarah Shone integrated yoga into a rehabilitation program with remarkable success—87% of participants reported pain relief. NICE guidelines now include yoga as a recommended treatment for lower back pain. Additionally, yoga helps with incontinence and bone density by strengthening pelvic floor muscles and being weight-bearing.
For beginners with specific health issues, it’s advised to start with gentle yoga styles like Hatha or Iyengar and to inform the teacher about any conditions. For back pain patients, discussing eligibility for subsidized yoga through exercise referral schemes with a doctor is recommended.
If you’re setting up a home practice, finding the right yoga mat is essential. Think about where you’ll use it—whether it’s rolled up by the door or set up in your living room. A thicker mat can protect your joints, and if you need to carry it around, make sure it’s not too heavy and comes with a strap. Taller individuals might need a longer mat to move freely.
A great option is the Elephant Cork Yoga Mat from Valka Yoga—a £69.95, eco-friendly mat made from organic cork and natural rubber. It’s durable, 3mm thick for joint comfort, and naturally antimicrobial, making it ideal for sweaty sessions. Plus, Valka Yoga plants a tree for every order, so you’re also helping the planet.
Adding a yoga block to your practice can aid in difficult poses. Valka’s matching elephant design block, priced at £19.95, isn’t only functional but also stylish enough to leave out on display.
Trying different yoga styles can help you find what suits you best:
1. Yin or Restorative Yoga – Relaxing with support from blankets and bolsters.
2. Vinyasa Flow – Energetic and dance-like, adjusts well for beginners.
3. Iyengar Yoga – Focuses on alignment, great for beginners.
4. Anusara Yoga – Flowing postures with upbeat music, originating from LA.
5. Yoga Therapy – Tailored for healing injuries or illnesses by trained teachers.
Experiment with these styles to discover the most beneficial for you.
