By Dayne Hudson
Yoga...
If you've never tried it, you might want to!
There's plenty of benefits to this physical, mental and spiritual practice that will leave you amazed!
WHAT IS YOGA?
Yoga is physical exercise with a meditative and spiritual core.
It's origins may date back to pre-Vedic Indian traditions, with many reaping benefits since this time.
YOGA FOR TO FIGHT CANCER, SCHIZOPHRENIA, ASTHA AND HEART DISEASE?
These claims are mixed and indefinite but yoga does seem to be help with people's psychological healing process (1-4).
What we definetly know is yoga has been found to treat anxiety (5) improve sleep, quality of life, stress levels, mood and energy (6).
Nothing to be sneezed at!
YOGA FOR CHILDREN?
The literature certainly says so.
Yoga has been found to bring positive results for a child's development.
It's been found to help with emotional balance, work effectiveness, whilst proven to improve academic performance by reducing stress (7,8).
Furthermore, yoga has also been found to help children with self esteem, work habits, attendance and behaviour (9).
FIGHT DEPRESSION & ASSIST IN MENTAL HEALTH?
It certainly seems that way.
This research (10) found improvements in physical activity, less stress reactivity, and an increase in adaptive thinking.
Further research supports the use of yoga for helping subjects with depression.
WEIGHT LOSS
Yoga has been found to assist in fat loss (11) with a possible explanation being the reduction of cortisol (your stress hormone) that it subsequently delivers.
It's obviously not as effective as lifting weights or performing cardio but depending on your level of mobility - it may just be worth doing!
Regardless of your age or gender, there are many physical/mental health benefits to yoga, so I'd really recommend you giving it a try!
"Stay Fit, Stay Flexed!"
REFERENCES
(1) Smith, Kelly B.; Pukall, Caroline F. (May 2009). "An evidence-based review of yoga as a complementary intervention for patients with cancer". Psycho-Oncology 18 (5): 465–475.
(2) Sharma, Manoj; Haider, Taj (October 2012). "Yoga as an Alternative and Complementary Treatment for Asthma: A Systematic Review". Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine. 17 (3): 212–217.
(3) Innes, Kim E.; Bourguignon, Cheryl (November–December 2005). "Risk Indices Associated with the Insulin Resistance Syndrome, Cardiovascular Disease, and Possible Protection with Yoga: A Systematic Review". Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine 18 (6): 491–519.
(4) Vancampfort, D.; Vansteeland, K.; Scheewe, T.; Probst, M.; Knapen, J.; De Herdt, A.; De Hert, M. (July 2012). "Yoga in schizophrenia: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials". Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 126 (1): 12–20.
(5) Kirkwood, G, Rampes H, Tuffrey V, Richardson J, Pilkington K. Yoga for anxiety: a systematic review of the research evidence. Br J Sports Med 2005; 39:884– 891
(6) Smith KB, Pukall CF. An evidence-based review of Yoga: A complementary intervention for patients with cancer. Psycho-Oncology 2009; 18(5):465–75
(7) Marie, D., Wyshak, G., & Wyshak, G. H. (n.d.). Yoga prevents bullying in schools. Available at http://www.calmingkidsyoga.org/Gifs/YogaPreventsBullyingInSchool.pdf
(8) Ross A., Thomas S. The health benefits of yoga and exercise: a review of comparison studies. Journal of Alternative Complementary Medicine 2010 Jan; 16 (1):3-12.
(9) Schoeberlein, D., & Koffler, T. (2005). Current status of programs using contemplative techniques in k-12 educational setting: A mapping report. Garrison, NY: Garrison Institute.
(10) Uebelacker LA, Epstein-Lubow G, Gaudiano BA, Tremont G, Battle CL, Miller IW. Hatha yoga for depression: critical review of the evidence for efficacy, plausible mechanisms for action and directions for future research. J Psychiatric Pract 2010 Jan; 16(1): 22-33.
(11) Araneta M, Allison MA, Barrett-Connor E, Kanaya AM. Overall and regional fat change: results from the Practice of Restorative Yoga or Stretching for Metabolic Syndrome (PRYSMS) study. Results presented at: 73rd Scientific Session of the American Diabetes Association; June 22, 2013; Chicago, IL.
