By fitlifemonthly 
Yoga isn’t just about flexible limbs; it can also boost your memory, heart, and bone health. Here’s why more and more Brits are spending around £790 million annually on yoga classes and mats.
Yoga comes in fascinating forms these days—think rage yoga or dog yoga—but its real benefits are being affirmed by science. Researchers from UCLA discovered that a three-month regimen of yoga and meditation was more effective than memory exercises in reducing age-related brain decline and improving sleep in breast cancer survivors.
Take the case of Lucy Edge, a 53-year-old former advertising executive who struggled with deep depression. Instead of taking anti-depressants, she turned to yoga. She took a six-month break, went to India to learn yoga, and though she didn’t get the stereotypical yoga body, she returned happier and more content. Lucy has authored three books on yoga and created Yoga Meds, a section on her website listing over 300 clinical trials showing yoga’s benefits for various conditions.
Here’s how yoga can benefit your health and tips on getting started (stretched lycra optional):
If puzzles have been your go-to for memory training, try incorporating yoga. UCLA’s study compared brain scans and memory tests of adults over 55 who did memory exercises versus those who took a 12-week yoga and meditation course. Those in the yoga group saw better improvements in spatial and visual memories along with reduced depression and anxiety.
You don’t need hours of practice to see benefits. A weekly hour of Kundalini yoga, which includes breathing techniques, meditation, and some chanting, can be highly effective. Participants in the study also did daily 20-minute sessions of Kirtan Kriya, involving chanting, hand movements, and light visualization.
While jogging is often recommended for heart health, research shows yoga might be just as good. A review published in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology in 2014 found yoga could lower heart disease risk as much as conventional exercises like brisk walking. Stress, a major heart disease contributor, raises blood pressure and heart rate, promoting blood clots. Yoga helps by reducing stress.
Charlotte Watts, a yoga teacher and nutritional therapist, suggests using gentle yoga poses to reduce stress. Restorative yoga, where postures are supported by bolsters and cushions, can also be highly effective for stress reduction, says senior teacher Anna Ashby.
Musculoskeletal physiotherapist and yoga teacher Sarah Shone integrated yoga into back pain rehabilitation programs, with 87% of participants reporting less pain. Yoga can even help manage incontinence by targeting pelvic floor muscles and increasing bone density through weight-bearing exercises. Beginners should start with gentler styles like Hatha or Iyengar and consult their doctors for specific conditions.
Finding the right yoga mat is crucial. Consider where you’ll store it, how often you’ll carry it, and its thickness. Thicker mats can help protect your joints. For instance, the Elephant Cork Yoga Mat from Valka Yoga is eco-friendly, versatile, and offers good joint support.
Yoga props like yoga blocks can also enhance your practice by making difficult poses easier to achieve. Cork blocks, though heavier than foam, provide better stability and grip.
Different types of yoga suit different needs:
– For relaxation, try Yin or Restorative yoga.
– For an energetic workout, opt for Vinyasa Flow.
– If you want precise postures, Iyengar yoga is a great start.
– Anusara yoga combines alignment with upbeat movements.
– For healing injuries or illnesses, Yoga Therapy is tailored to individual needs.
Whether you’re new to yoga or an experienced practitioner, incorporating yoga into your routine can provide numerous health benefits.