By fitlifemonthly 
Yoga isn’t just about being flexible; it also holds benefits for memory, heart, and bone health, according to Anna Magee. The popularity of yoga in the UK is soaring, with people spending £790 million annually on classes and mats. The various types of yoga, from rage yoga to dog yoga, may seem unusual, but science backs many health benefits of the practice.
Research from UCLA found that a three-month course of yoga and meditation was more effective than memory exercises at reducing age-related brain impairment. For those with breast cancer, yoga has been shown to improve sleep quality.
Lucy Edge, at 53, chose yoga over anti-depressants to combat her depression. After a six-month trip to India to study yoga, she returned feeling happier and more content. Now a writer and founder of Yoga Meds, she has documented over 300 clinical trials showcasing yoga’s benefits for different health issues.
If you’ve been relying on puzzles for memory training, you might want to try yoga instead. UCLA’s study on adults over 55 found that yoga not only improved spatial and visual memories but also reduced depression and anxiety while increasing stress resilience. Dr. Clare Walton from the Alzheimer’s Society suggests more research should be done on yoga’s benefits for aging hearts and brains.
You don’t need intense yoga sessions to benefit. One hour of Kundalini yoga per week—focusing on gentle movements, breathing, meditation, and chanting—proved effective in studies. Additionally, daily 20-minute sessions of Kirtan Kriya, involving chanting and hand movements, were practiced by participants.
Yoga is also beneficial for heart health. A 2014 review published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology noted that yoga could lower heart disease risk as effectively as traditional exercises like brisk walking. Stress reduction through yoga can significantly help by lowering blood pressure and heart rate, reducing the risk of heart-related issues.
For beginners, yoga instructor Charlotte Watts and Anna Ashby recommend starting with gentle yoga poses or Restorative yoga, which involves supported poses held for longer durations to reduce stress.
Yoga can also aid in back pain management. Sarah Shone, a physiotherapist and yoga teacher, developed classes for back pain rehab, leading to 87 percent of participants experiencing pain reduction. Yoga and stretching are now recommended by NICE for treating lower back pain.
Additionally, yoga can help with incontinence by strengthening pelvic floor muscles and can increase bone density due to its weight-bearing nature. It’s suitable for all fitness levels and health conditions. Beginners should inform their instructor about any health issues and opt for gentler styles like Hatha or Iyengar yoga.
Choosing the right yoga mat is essential. Consider where you’ll store the mat, its weight, and your height. Investing in a thicker mat can help protect your joints. Healthista recommends Valka Yoga’s Elephant Cork Yoga mat for its eco-friendly materials and durability. It’s designed to be both practical and stylish, with cork being naturally antimicrobial and odour-resistant. The mat also promises padding and comfort for joints during tough poses. For extra support in poses, Valka’s yoga block can help beginners achieve proper alignment and balance. Various yoga styles like Yin, Vinyasa Flow, Iyengar, Anusara, and Yoga Therapy offer different benefits and can be suitable based on your needs and experience level.
Embracing yoga can lead to numerous health benefits, making it a worthwhile addition to anyone’s routine.