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, we are spending a massive £790 million each year on yoga classes and mats. Yoga’s popularity is skyrocketing, with new trends like rage yoga, naked yoga, and even dog yoga gaining traction. Despite these quirky trends, science shows real, proven benefits.
Researchers at UCLA discovered that three months of yoga and meditation were more effective than memory exercises in reducing age-related brain changes. Another study showed improved sleep in breast cancer survivors through yoga.
When Lucy Edge, 53, fell into a deep depression, she turned to yoga instead of prescribed antidepressants. After a six-month break in India to learn yoga, she came back happier and more content. Lucy has written three books about yoga and started Yoga Meds, highlighting its clinical benefits for conditions like arthritis, insomnia, and obesity.
Feel like you need more than crosswords and Sudoku for memory training? Yoga might be the answer. A UCLA study on adults over 55 found that 12 weeks of yoga and meditation not only improved memory but also reduced anxiety, depression, and stress. Participants practiced Kundalini yoga and a type of meditation called Kirtan Kriya, involving chanting, hand movements, and visualizing light.
Yoga is also beneficial for heart health. A review published in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology in 2014 found that yoga could lower heart disease risk as effectively as brisk walking. Yoga helps reduce stress, which is a major contributor to heart disease. By lowering stress hormones, blood pressure, and heart rate, yoga reduces the likelihood of blood clots.
Yoga has shown improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight, all risk factors for heart disease. For beginners, Charlotte Watts recommends stress-reducing gentle yoga poses from her book “The De-Stress Effect.” Anna Ashby of Triyoga Studios suggests Restorative yoga to reduce stress by holding postures on bolsters and cushions for extended periods.
Sarah Shone, a musculoskeletal physiotherapist and yoga teacher, developed yoga classes that became part of the rehabilitation program for back pain at the Primary Care Trust. An impressive 87% of participants reported reduced pain. Shone advocates for more physiotherapists to use yoga in clinical practice, as yoga targets pelvic floor muscles and increases bone density.
For beginners, Shone suggests choosing gentle styles like Hatha or Iyengar yoga and consulting with doctors if you have specific conditions like back pain.
Finding the right yoga mat is essential. Consider where it will be stored, whether you need a lightweight mat for transport, and if you need a mat that provides extra cushion to protect your joints. A thick yoga mat is especially beneficial for those with knee or wrist pain.
Healthista recommends the Elephant Cork Yoga Mat from Valka Yoga, priced at £69.95. Made from organic cork and natural rubber, it’s eco-friendly, renewable, and recyclable. Valka Yoga plants a tree for every order, adding an environmental benefit. The mat provides comfort with its 3mm thickness and is great for hot yoga, as cork becomes more grippy when wet. It’s also antimicrobial and odor-resistant, and comes with a carry strap, a 15-day money-back guarantee, and a one-year replacement warranty.
For those who need extra support in poses, the matching Valka yoga block, priced at £19.95, is a great addition. It provides stability and grip, helping with challenging postures.
No matter your flexibility, yoga can help. There are various styles to choose from:
– Yin or Restorative yoga classes for a relaxed, supported practice.
– Vinyasa Flow for an energetic, dance-like sequence connecting postures and breathing.
– Iyengar yoga for precise alignment and long-held poses, using props.
– Anusara yoga, a modern style with flowing movements and upbeat music.
– Yoga Therapy, tailored to heal injuries or illnesses.
Lucy Edge’s latest book “Down Dog Billionaire” is available on Amazon.
