Yoga is not just about physical poses, as the media makes everyone believe. Yoga, derived from the word ‘Yuj’ refers to binding or a yoke. Yoga encompasses a wide range of self-disciplinary and contemplative practices, including mantra, meditation, ritual, prayer, chanting, and breathwork. Scientists in various fields, including healthcare, have conducted studies to explore the benefits of yoga and link them to their scientific approach.
Yoga helps in improving balance, strength, and flexibility
The slow-motion moves that you perform during yoga help to boost an individual’s flow of blood and warm up their muscles. It is imperative to establish that yoga is useful in helping people gain their core strengths. When you practice yoga from a professional point, you will realize that the styles and techniques are executed differently, in terms of intensity. This is a technique that enables one to build their strength and significantly improve flexibility.
According to research published in 2019, yoga reduced the loss of flexibility and enhanced flexibility in older people.
Yoga improves mental health
One of the most frequent mental health diseases is major depressive disorder (MDD). According to a 2017 study examining the impact of yoga therapies on symptoms of depression, yoga can be regarded as an operational unconventional therapy for MDD.
Yoga advances your quality of life
Quality of Life (QOL) is affected by various factors, including health, creativity, materials, learning opportunities, and comfort.
According to researchers, QOL is a critical factor in determining or predicting one’s longevity and the likelihood of improving one’s health when being treated for a serious injury or chronic illness. Research conducted in 2019 revealed that yoga had major benefits, including improving one’s quality of life when experiencing chronic pain.
Yoga reduces anxiety
Studies indicate that the most common mental health disorders in America are depression and anxiety. Research categorizes anxiety disorders into different categories, such as social anxiety. Studies indicate that chronic stress is an anxiety disorder that can be eradicated by yoga asana.
Although numerous academics seek more replicated trials before clearly concluding that yoga asana is useful as an alternative therapy for anxiety disorders, it is currently being applied. It sufficiently reduces the known symptoms of anxiety.
A study conducted in 2010 indicated that yoga improves anxiety levels and mood more than walking. Researchers connected this to the higher levels of GABA chemical activity in the brain.
It improves cardiovascular functioning
Pranayama, or ‘yogic breathing’, is a crucial and useful component of Yoga. A review of 1,400 papers looking at the overall effects of pranayama was published in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine. One of the most important things I learned was that yogic breathing might help the body’s various systems work better.
Controlling the rate of breathing greatly improved the cardiovascular system, as demonstrated by improvements in heart rate, stroke capacity, arterial pressure, and cardiac contractility. According to this study, yogic breathing has the potential to enhance the functioning of the brain’s cardiorespiratory center.
Promotes posture and body alertness
We appear to be spending an increasing amount of time sitting or slumped over electronics as a contemporary civilization dependent on technology. However, a recent assessment of 34 research papers discovered a trend: Yoga increased brain functionality in the areas involved with recognizing signals in your body and posture. Use a yoga bolster pillow to enhance your postures while undertaking yoga.
Yoga’s emphasis on mobility and flexibility may also help with realignment by loosening tight muscles like the hamstrings and enhancing spine flexibility.
Reduces chronic inflammation
Yoga may help decrease stress and inflammation throughout the body, leading to a healthier individual. Chronic inflammation is often a harbinger of disease. Chronic inflammation is connected to heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and many other diseases. According to a recent study, yoga helps with several heart disease risk factors. The styles, durations, and intensities of yoga help to reduce biochemical markers of inflammation.
Dennis Relojo-Howell is the managing director of Psychreg.
