So much is spoken about the benefits of yoga that it’s become common knowledge everywhere across the world. But, as a critic or a curious cat, you may wonder whether any of these benefits of yoga have any scientific backing. As it turns out, health benefits of yoga have been confirmed by several scientific studies for many years now. Yoga has been scientifically proven to work wonders for cardiovascular and mental health, and promotes a healthy lifestyle.
Let’s take a look at the 7 scientifically proven health benefits of doing yoga every day.
1. Yoga keeps the blood pressure in check.
Patients of hypertension who practiced yoga and meditation regularly were found to have significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels, as per a study conducted by Yale School of Medicine. This effect is seen because yoga improves blood circulation and oxygenation.
2. It curbs anxiety and depression.
Neurotransmitter GABA, which is found to be present in lower levels in anxiety and depression patients, was found to be increased by 27% within the brain after 60 minutes of yoga practice. Yoga slows down the breath and heart rate, and therefore reduces the body’s reaction to stress.
Image Source: Rana Waxman
3. It helps you get better sleep.
Yoga is typically recommended to anyone who finds it hard to fall asleep or stay awake in the nights. Regular yoga practice has a calming effect on its practitioners which aids in sleeping. This has been proved scientifically too, especially in a small but significant study conducted at Harvard Medical School.
4. It reduces PMS.
A study conducted by scientists from Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan found that “women with PMS could attend short-term yoga exercise in the luteal phase to make themselves feel better and maintain a better attention level.” The eleven women in the test felt more relaxed and at peace than another group after having practiced yoga during their menstrual cycle.
5. It helps reduce chronic lower back pain.
Anyone who knows anything about yoga knows that poses are at the core of its practice. The advantage of practicing yoga postures is that the overall stance improves. But another important benefit is the reduction of chronic lower back pain. Contraction of muscles followed by relaxation as you breathe in and out helps relieve the pain in the lower back.
Image Source: Indiatimes
6. It improves cardiovascular health.
A study published in the Diabetology and Metabolic Syndrome journal found that 182 middle-aged Chinese adults experienced lower blood pressure and became slimmer over the course of doing yoga for a year. These adults suffered from metabolic syndrome before they started this year-long practice of yoga.
7. Yoga sharpens the brain.
A study involving 133 adults aged between 53 and 96 years old found that twice a week of yoga practice for over a month improved the cognitive function of all the participants. Their memory performance increased significantly over this period. Higher oxygenation of the blood was responsible for bringing about this positive change.