A yoga body isn’t just about being flexible; it’s also about improving memory, heart, and bone health, says Anna Magee. The UK now spends around £790 million a year on yoga classes and gear. Though yoga is branching into quirky forms like rage or naked yoga, paddle-board poses, and even dog yoga, its real benefits are increasingly backed by science.
Researchers at UCLA found that a three-month course of yoga and meditation was more effective than memory exercises at reducing age-related brain decline and improving sleep in breast cancer survivors. When Lucy Edge, a 53-year-old former advertising executive, fell into depression, she turned to yoga instead of medication. She took a six-month break, traveled to India, and learned yoga, which made her happier and more content. She’s written books about yoga and founded Yoga Meds, a section on her website Yogaclicks.com that lists over 300 clinical trials supporting yoga’s benefits for conditions like arthritis, insomnia, and obesity.
For improving memory, yoga might be more effective than just crossword puzzles and Sudoku. UCLA’s study involving 25 adults over 55 showed that yoga and meditation boosted spatial and visual memories, reduced depression and anxiety, and increased stress resilience. Participants did one hour of Kundalini yoga each week and 20 minutes daily of Kirtan Kriya meditation.
For heart health, yoga can be as beneficial as brisk walking. A 2014 review in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology found that yoga might lower heart disease risk. Yoga’s stress reduction benefits also contribute to lower heart disease risks.
Another benefit of yoga is its potential to relieve back pain. Sarah Shone, a musculoskeletal physiotherapist and yoga teacher, created back pain classes integrated into a rehabilitation program, with 87% of participants reporting pain reduction. Yoga is also recommended by NICE guidelines for lower back pain and is beneficial for incontinence and bone density.
If you’re new to yoga or seeking to prevent injuries, it’s important to choose the right props and mat. Investing in a thick mat can protect your joints, especially if you have knee or wrist pain. For beginners, styles like Hatha or Iyengar yoga are gentler, while more advanced practitioners might try Vinyasa Flow or Anusara yoga.
Lastly, a good yoga mat and block can enhance your practice. The Elephant Cork Yoga mat from Valka Yoga is eco-friendly, antimicrobial, and provides great grip, especially for hot yoga. The matching cork yoga block is also helpful for stability and reach in difficult poses.
Whether you’re bendy or not, there’s a yoga style for everyone, from Yin or Restorative yoga, Iyengar, Vinyasa Flow, and Anusara, to specialized Yoga Therapy. Lucy Edge’s latest book, “Down Dog Billionaire,” is available on Amazon.
