State of FLEX

IT’S NO STRETCH TO BELIEVE THAT YOGA HAS MANY BENEFITS

Yoga has been a popular practice for thousands of years, with devotees saying that it helps them to become stronger, more flexible and more toned.

But it’s not just the physical benefits that make a difference. It can also have an impact on other aspects of your health, according to a variety of scientific studies:

IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE

Several studies have shown that regularly practising yoga can make a difference to a person’s quality of life, especially if that person is older or has health issues.

In one, more than 100 seniors were divided into groups to do either yoga, walking or no exercise. After six months, those in the yoga group reported a significantly improved quality of life, as well as better moods and less fatigue compared with those in the other groups. Meanwhile, among the studies that have looked at the effect yoga has on cancer, one found that women having chemotherapy for breast cancer who did yoga noticed a decrease in side effects such as nausea and vomiting. Another found that after eight weeks of yoga, women with breast cancer reported having less pain and fatigue while feeling more relaxed, invigorated and accepting of their situation.

LOWER LEVELS OF INFLAMMATION

Inflammation is a normal response to problems in your body. However, ongoing chronic inflammation can cause problems itself, contributing to serious illnesses such as heart disease and cancer.

A 2015 study divided 218 volunteers into two groups – one that practised yoga regularly and the other that didn’t. Those who did yoga had lower levels of inflammatory markers in their bodies at the end of the study. Yet another trial showed that breast cancer survivors who did yoga had reduced levels of inflammatory markers.

IMPROVE HEART HEALTH