5 Benefits of Yoga Backed Up By Science

Lulu Lemon, Meditation, Peace, and Tranquility, are all words you may encounter when you Google Yoga. We know Yoga is a great form of exercise but did you know that there are actual benefits of backed up by science?

Today I'm going to talk about 5 benefits of Yoga that are backed up by science.

1. Yoga Can Decrease Stress

One study demonstrated the powerful effect of yoga on stress by following 24 women who perceived themselves as emotionally distressed. After a three-month yoga program, the women had significantly lower levels of cortisol. They also had lower levels of stress, anxiety, fatigue and depression Another study of 131 people had similar results, showing that 10 weeks of yoga helped reduce stress and anxiety. It also helped improve quality of life and mental health. Studies show that yoga can help ease stress and lower your levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

2. Yoga Relieves Anxiety

Many people begin practicing yoga as a way to cope with feelings of anxiety.

Interestingly enough, there is quite a bit of research showing that yoga can help reduce anxiety. In one study, 34 women diagnosed with an anxiety disorder participated in yoga classes twice weekly for two months. At the end of the study, those who practiced yoga had significantly lower levels of anxiety than the control group. It’s not entirely clear exactly how yoga is able to reduce symptoms of anxiety. However, it emphasizes the importance of being present in the moment and finding a sense of peace, which could help treat anxiety.

3. Yoga May Reduce Anxiety

In addition to improving your mental health, some studies suggest that practicing yoga may reduce inflammation as well. Inflammation is a normal immune response, but chronic inflammation can contribute to the development of pro-inflammatory diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Although more research is needed to confirm the beneficial effects of yoga on inflammation, these findings indicate that it may help protect against certain diseases caused by chronic inflammation. Some studies show that yoga may reduce inflammatory markers in the body and help prevent pro-inflammatory diseases.

4. Yoga Could Help Improve Heart Health

From pumping blood throughout the body to supplying tissues with important nutrients, the health of your heart is an essential component of overall health. Studies show that yoga may help improve heart health and reduce several risk factors for heart disease. A study followed 113 patients with heart disease, looking at the effects of a lifestyle change that included one year of yoga training combined with dietary modifications and stress management. It’s unclear how much of a role yoga may have had versus other factors like diet. Yet it can minimize stress, one of the major contributors to heart disease. Alone or in combination with a healthy lifestyle, yoga may help decrease risk factors for heart disease.

5. Yoga Improves The Quality of Life

Yoga is becoming increasingly common as an adjunct therapy to improve quality of life for many individuals. In one study, 135 seniors were assigned to either six months of yoga, walking or a control group. Practicing yoga significantly improved quality of life, as well as mood and fatigue, compared to the other groups. Other studies have found that yoga may help improve sleep quality, enhance spiritual well-being, improve social function and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with cancer.

There are many other benefits of Yoga, however, I have covered the benefits I thought were most important. Happy Yoga!

Sources: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/13-benefits-of-yoga