Yoga, an invaluable gift of ancient Indian culture, is a practice born long before the first religions or belief systems and is gaining attention nowadays. It is now considered a holistic approach to physical and mental well-being globally and is being practiced around the world in various forms.
Yoga is believed to have started with the very dawn of civilization and is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice. The word ‘Yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit root “Yuj” which means to unite, to join, or to yoke. According to yogic teachings, yoga is the unification of a person’s consciousness with that of the universal consciousness, signifying a complete harmony between the human body and mind as well as between man and nature.
Practicing yoga reduces daily stress and allows one to achieve a sense of balance and union between the mind and body [1]. Regular yoga practice promotes flexibility, strength, and endurance; aids characteristics like patience and compassion; and cultivates a sense of well-being and calmness.
Recognizing its universal appeal and abundant benefits, India proposed a draft resolution to establish a day recognizing yoga in 2014. The proposal was endorsed, and in 2015, the United Nations proclaimed June 21st as International Yoga Day.
On the occasion of the 9th annual International Yoga Day, let’s explore some of the science-backed physical and mental benefits of yoga.
1. Manages common disorders: Obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and joint-related issues are widely prevalent nowadays. Research shows that practicing yoga improved serum glucose levels in people with diabetes, hand grips in those with rheumatoid arthritis, and BP among those with hypertension [6].
2. Prevents stress: Yoga is regarded as a type of mind-body therapy that combines a person’s physical, emotional, and spiritual qualities to enhance various aspects of health, especially disorders brought on by stress. Scientific evidence produced by the National Institutes of Health shows that yoga supports stress management and improves mental health. Hence, making yoga a part of your daily life can keep you away from various stress-related health problems.
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3. Increases the effectiveness of the heart and lungs: Yoga practitioners who practice pranayama focus on deep, slow, and controlled inhalations and exhalations. This style of breathing strengthens the respiratory system’s muscles, expands the lungs, and enhances oxygen absorption. A study named Scientific Benefits of Yoga has also demonstrated that pranayam lowered respiratory rate (number of breaths per minute) and prolonged breath-holding time.
The practice of pranayam boosts blood flow, hemoglobin levels, and red blood cell production. This in turn improves the functioning of the body’s cells by allowing more oxygen to reach them [1]. Yoga also thins the blood, lowering the risk of heart attack and stroke since these conditions are frequently brought on by blood clots.
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4. Enhances strength, balance, and flexibility: Yoga is well-known for its capacity to enhance strength, balance, and flexibility. These advantages result from a practice that combines physical positions (asanas), controlled breathing (pranayama), and concentrated awareness. With continued practice, the muscles and connective tissues surrounding the bones and joints regain their lost strength and flexibility gradually; that is why yoga has also been associated with reduced aches and pains.
5. Boosts weight loss and maintenance: Research shows that people who practice yoga regularly gain less weight during adulthood, and those who are overweight lose weight. Depending on the intensity and duration of the practice, certain styles of yoga, such as vinyasa or power yoga, can provide a cardiovascular workout that aids in weight loss and management.
6. Reduces anxiety and depression: Though everyone experiences anxiety every now and then, it is one of the most common signs of phobias, social anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and panic disorders. Studies have proved that yoga increases the levels of the brain chemical responsible for improving mood and anxiety levels. Apart from this, regular yoga practice can significantly raise the level of a happy hormone called serotonin, thereby keeping depression at bay [1].
7. Relieves chronic pain issues: Lower back pain affects over 80% of adults at some point in their lives. It interferes with one’s ability to exercise, sleep, or perform daily activities. Practicing asana like shalabhasana helps reduce lower back pain. Numerous studies have also shown that asana, meditation, or a combination of the two reduced pain in people with arthritis, Carpal Tunnel syndrome, and other chronic conditions.
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8. Enhances brain function: Yoga emphasizes mindful awareness and a focus on the present moment, which improves brain function. Regular practice can reduce mental distraction or haze while increasing mental clarity, attention, and cognitive performance. Research also shows that yoga can help older people with their mental flexibility, task switching, and information memory.
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9. Menopause symptoms: A 2018 evaluation of 13 studies (more than 1,300 participants) of yoga for menopause symptoms found that yoga is at least as beneficial as other forms of exercise in reducing menopause-associated hot flashes, anxiety, and depression [2].
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10. Improves the quality of life during illnesses: Yoga can be used as a complementary therapy along with conventional medical treatments to improve the quality of life in conditions like prostate cancer, stroke, ulcerative colitis, etc.
Yoga is more than just a physical activity. It affects every single cell in the body. This discipline offers individuals of all age groups a timeless and holistic approach to health and healing. Try adopting this “technology” of inner well-being in your life to reap its benefits.
(The article is written by Namita Singh, Team Leader, and reviewed by Monalisa Deka, Senior Health Content Editor)
References
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