By fitlifemonthly 
A yoga body isn’t just about flexibility; it can also help improve memory, heart health, and bone health, according to Anna Magee.
It’s no secret that yoga has become hugely popular in the UK, with Brits spending around £790 million a year on yoga classes and equipment. While some of the new yoga trends can seem bizarre—think rage yoga, naked yoga, paddle-board yoga, horseback yoga, and even dog yoga—the real benefits of yoga are being increasingly backed by scientific research.
For instance, researchers at UCLA found that a three-month yoga and meditation course was more effective than memory exercises in reducing age-related brain impairment. Another study found improved sleep among breast cancer survivors who practiced yoga.
Lucy Edge, 53, faced severe depression and turned to yoga instead of anti-depressants. Taking a career break, she traveled to India to learn yoga. While she didn’t achieve the idealized “yoga body,” she returned happier and more content. Lucy has since written books on yoga and created Yoga Meds, which lists over 300 clinical trials on yoga’s benefits for various conditions, from arthritis to insomnia and obesity.
Here are some ways yoga can benefit your health and tips to get started (no fancy lycra required):
Memory improvement: If you’re currently using crossword puzzles and Sudoku to keep your brain sharp, it might be time to add yoga to your routine. A study by UCLA collected brain scans and memory tests from 25 adults over 55. After 12 weeks of either memory exercises or yoga and meditation, those in the yoga group showed better improvements in spatial and visual memory, reduced depression and anxiety, and increased stress resilience.
Heart health: While walking and jogging are recommended for heart health, yoga also offers significant benefits. A 2014 review in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology showed that yoga could lower heart disease risk as much as conventional exercise. Since stress is a major factor in heart disease, reducing stress through yoga can be beneficial.
Yoga for lowering heart disease risk: Practicing yoga has been shown to help with anxiety, stress, and depression, conditions common among those who have suffered cardiac events or undergone heart surgery. Yoga can also improve blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight, which are all risk factors for heart disease. Charlotte Watts and Anna Ashby suggest gentle yoga poses and Restorative yoga to reduce stress effectively.
Reducing back pain: Musculoskeletal physiotherapist and yoga teacher Sarah Shone integrated yoga into a rehabilitation program for back pain, with 87 percent of participants reporting pain reduction. Yoga is recommended by NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence) for lower back pain and can be particularly beneficial when integrated into clinical practices for older adults.
Keeping incontinence and osteoporosis at bay: Yoga strengthens the pelvic floor muscles and other weight-bearing muscles, which can help increase bone density. For beginners, gentle styles like Hatha or Iyengar yoga are recommended. If you have specific conditions like back pain, consult your doctor about possibly joining a subsidized yoga course.
Choosing the right yoga mat: A good mat can enhance your yoga practice. Consider your living space, whether you’ll need to carry the mat, your height, and the mat’s thickness for joint protection. Healthista recommends the Elephant Cork Yoga mat from Valka Yoga, which is eco-friendly, made from renewable materials, and offers good support.
Yoga blocks: Adding yoga blocks to your practice can help with challenging poses by providing extra length and stability. Cork blocks are recommended for their grip and sturdiness.
No matter your flexibility level, yoga has something to offer. Try different styles like Yin, Restorative, Vinyasa Flow, Iyengar, Anusara, or Yoga Therapy to find what works best for you.
Lucy Edge’s latest book, “Down Dog Billionaire,” is available on Amazon.