Much research has been done on the effects of yoga on our health and wellbeing. Here’s a round-up of the latest findings, which prove yoga is good for your health.
Yoga for anxiety
New research indicates that yoga may be good for people who suffer from anxiety.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder affects about 6.8 million adults in the United States in any given year. Generalized Anxiety Disorder can be severe and can lead people to worry uncontrollably about the future. This excessive worry causes problems in everyday life, work and relationships. The disorder can also lead to physical symptoms such as muscle tension and difficulty sleeping.
Generalized anxiety disorder can be difficult to treat and often has a poor response to traditional treatments such as medication.
In a study led by Jessica Morgan Goodnight at Georgia State University, participants received eight twice-weekly Kripalu yoga sessions. The study found a reduction in self-reported worry and anxiety symptoms after the course. It found that yoga had a positive influence on anxiety, mindfulness, and heart rate variability. This research demonstrates that yoga could very well offer an option for people suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
References
http://iaytjournals.org/doi/10.17761/1531-2054.0.0.000
http://www.emaxhealth.com/11402/looking-natural-remedy-anxiety-try-yoga
Yoga for healthy aging
Research reveals how a yoga practice can help slow down aging
The benefits of Yoga have been studied quite comprehensively and the list of positive outcomes for yoga practitioners increases all the time. One of the most recent discoveries has been how practicing yoga helps us to age better. The interest in the benefits of yoga on aging has been fuelled by statistics that suggest that in areas of the world with tremendous yogic influence – in some parts of India for example –the average lifespan is much longer than that of Western citizens, despite little or no affordable healthcare for the average person.
Yoga may help older people stay in better health for a variety of reasons.
Yoga practice supports bone, joint, muscle and heart health
Practicing yoga increases muscle elasticity and tones tendons and ligaments. The weight bearing elements of yoga also support good bone health. Yoga practice can also reduce fat and lower heart rates improving heart health.
Yoga practice improves posture and balance
Improved posture is also an important aspect of yoga. Yoga strengthens the back and shoulders and also promotes a strong sense of balance, all of which are important keys to unlocking the door to the world of anti-aging.
Researchers from The George Institute for Global Health, Australia have found that yoga can have a positive impact on the balance and physical mobility of people aged over 60. Preliminary evidence from the study suggests that yoga may be effective in reducing the risk of falls and promoting independence in older age.
Yoga practice increases the production of melatonin
As we grow older the amount of melatonin that is released into our bodies begins to decrease. Melatonin has roles in sleep, cancer prevention, strengthening the immune system, and may even slow down cellular aging. However, a study from India found that men practicing yoga on a daily basis for 3 months, actually had increased levels of melatonin.
So yoga could provide many benefits as we age, keeping us healthy and active for longer, reducing risks from falls and illness and increasing our sense of well-being.
References
http://www.georgeinstitute.org/media-releases/researchers-uncover-benefits-of-yoga-for-healthy-ageing
Pranayama helps beat stress.
New study finds that yoga breathing may lower stress-related inflammation in the body.
Yoga isn’t just about physical poses it’s also about breathing. In yogic practice, special breathing techniques called Pranayama are used.
A recent study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine indicated that yoga breathing can lower stress-related inflammation in the body
The study examined twenty participants and measured levels of biomolecules called cytokines in their saliva. Half of the group then read a text for 20 minutes while the other half did yoga breathing exercises. The cytokines were measured periodically through the exercise.
At the end of the full twenty minutes, Researchers found three stress-related biomarkers significantly decreased in those who did the yoga breathing exercise but not in people who were just reading.
So that is three more good reasons to keep up your yoga practice!