Are you ready for warrior pose? Have you engaged in downward dog today? You no doubt understand these questions if you have an even cursory knowledge of yoga.
Yoga is an ancient, ascetic Hindu discipline comprised of controlled breathing, body positions and meditation. The goal of yoga is to attain a deep state of tranquility and spiritual insight. While people may be quick to associate yoga with popular poses, it’s the complete package of breathing and reflection that does wonderful things for the mind and body.
Johns Hopkins Medicine says yoga can benefit people of all ages. It can help the healthy, but also can be utilized to treat people recovering from illness or surgery or those living with a chronic condition. While the scientific research into yoga’s health benefits is preliminary and not extensive, certain trends have emerged.
Improves flexibility: According to Yoga Journal, even the lowest intensity styles of yoga have been shown to increase flexibility. Yoga is especially helpful for adults ages 65 and older, helping to slow age-related loss of flexibility.
Brain boost: Gray matter in the brain can diminish as people get older. However, according to a 2015 study funded by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, there is no relationship between gray matter and age among yoga practitioners. In fact, yoga participants showed increased volume in certain brain regions commensurate with the number of years of yoga experience and practice.
Back pain relief: Yoga poses can help alleviate pain in various regions of the body, notably the lower back. The American College of Physicians recommends yoga as a first-line treatment for chronic lower back pain.
Alleviate joint pain: Johns Hopkins Medicine says gentle yoga can alleviate some of the discomfort of arthritis, particularly tender, swollen joints.
Improved mental health: A 2017 meta-analysis of 23 interventions looking at yoga to alleviate depressive symptoms overwhelmingly indicated yoga can be an effective alternative treatment for major depressive disorder. MDD is thought to be one of the most common mental health disorders in the world.
Reduced inflammation: A study published in 2018 in Biological Research for Nursing determined yoga is a viable intervention to reduce inflammation across a multitude of chronic conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, Crohn’s disease, and cancer.
In addition to these health benefits, yoga can help tame stress, reduce pain, improve quality of sleep, and even boost immunity.
