I’ve always sucked at yoga, I have like zero balance, but maybe I should give it another
try.
Hey guys Julia here for DNews
Over 20 Million Americans practice yoga.
I’m pretty sure most of that’s just in the Bay Area.
That figure comes from a study published in Yoga Journal.
According to their survey the top reasons for starting yoga were: flexibility, general
conditioning, stress relief, and to improve overall health and physical fitness.
Yoga is deeply rooted in Hindu tradition, where a series of postures and breathing exercises
prepares the body for meditation and connecting with the divine.
There’s a lot more to yoga than striking a few poses.
Traditional yoga is a whole spiritual practice with 8 parts including a code of ethical standards
and studying scriptures.
Only one of those parts, asana, involves poses.
Not surprisingly, yoga has been stripped down and repackaged to Americans as a form of exercise.
But apart from the cultural appropriation, Yoga is actually pretty good for you.
Let’s look at what the science says.
Chronic pain can reduce or change grey matter in the brain which can lead to some serious
problems like memory and emotional issues.
But according to an official at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), practicing yoga
has the opposite effect on the brain.
So what does the brain look like on Yoga?
Well study after study reportedly heralds the benefits of Yoga.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine found that the postures from Yoga
actually increases the amount of gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA in the brain.
GABA, a neurotransmitter, calms the nervous system and regulates muscle tone.
In one study the researchers found that after just one hour of Yoga, practitioners GABA
levels increased by 27%.
This increase in GABA levels could be responsible for decreasing anxiety and improving mood
in those who practice yoga.
Another small study published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health found that
after short, 20 minute sessions of Hatha yoga participants performed better on tests of
brain function.
They could focus better, process information faster, and even learn more effectively than
after a typical aerobic exercise like running on a treadmill.
The researchers think that by focusing on the body, posture or breath, you push out
any distracting thoughts and or reduce some stress, both of which could increase cognitive
function.
But it’s not just your brain that gets a boost.
Researchers from the US and the Netherlands found that yoga could help those with cardiovascular
disease.
Published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, the researchers reviewed 37 different
studies.
They found that yoga improves risk factors for heart disease similar to the effects of
typical exercise.
Some studies showed that it lowered body weight, cholesterol and heart rate.
Other researchers think yoga can ease pain by enhancing both the toning of muscles and
releasing of muscle tension.
Even sufferers of Multiple sclerosis, or MS, a potentially debilitating autoimmune disease,
that affects the brain and central nervous system found some relief from yoga.
Researchers from Rutgers University conducted a small trial where MS patients participated
in a 8 week long specialized yoga program.
After completing the program patients had better mental health, concentration, bladder
control, walking, and vision, with a decrease in pain and fatigue.
There’s other studies that show it could reduce inflammation, help with hypertension
or those who live with pain from fibromyalgia or arthritis.
Just know there’s a lot of research happening within the past five years and a lot of it’s
positive.
Speaking of questionably trendy healthy fads… what’s the deal with kale?
If you’re craving some kale.. watch this episode first…
Have you ever tried yoga?
I did for a few months.
I have like no balance, so the instructor would call me out and tell me to go use the
wall.
So yeah.
Tell us your stories down in the comments below.