Life

Five health reasons to take up yoga

We all know yoga is a great form of exercise, but did you know it can help cure numerous conditions? Kate Whiting finds out more

The downward dog position, Adho Mukha Svanasana in Sanskrit, is one of yoga's basic postures and good for back pain
The downward dog position, Adho Mukha Svanasana in Sanskrit, is one of yoga's basic postures and good for back pain The downward dog position, Adho Mukha Svanasana in Sanskrit, is one of yoga's basic postures and good for back pain

DEVOTEES have long championed the endless powers of yoga for soothing both body and mind – and the list of ailments the ancient practice can ease has officially just got longer.

So if you don't already start the day with a sun salutation, you might want to start, especially if you have asthma, as researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) have just found that yoga could improve quality of life for people who suffer with the respiratory condition.

The team, who reviewed results from 15 studies around the world, noted how yoga breathing exercises and poses are thought to help expand the chest, as well as relaxing muscles in the airways. On top of that, the meditative element of yoga practice also reduces anxiety, which asthma can trigger, and boosts mood.

But it's not just people with asthma who could benefit. Here are some of the other common complaints that could be soothed by regular yoga...

ARTHRITIS

People who suffer from arthritis find certain forms of modified yoga can gently help to increase flexibility and strength. A study of the impact of yoga on people with osteoarthritis in their knees by Sharon Kolasinski, MD, a professor of clinical medicine and a rheumatologist at the University of Pennsylvania, found that weekly 90-minute, modified Iyengar yoga classes reduced pain and stiffness in joints and improved physical function after eight weeks. The NHS recommends finding a teacher who understands arthritis and can adapt the yoga poses for your needs.

PREVENTION OF FALLS

Older people are more likely to suffer injuries, such as bone fractures, as the result of a fall, with around one in three over the age of 65 said to suffer at least one fall a year. But research has shown that exercises like yoga and Tai Chi can improve balance, by strengthening muscles in the legs, ankles and knees. This can lower the risk of falls, and injury rates.

BACK PAIN

Postures like the Cat and Downward Dog, when done everyday, can help to soothe mild back pain by gently stretching the spine and easing muscle tension. But make sure you see a doctor if you have acute back pain, and tell your yoga teacher about any complaints before you start.

BLOOD PRESSURE AND HEART DISEASE

In a 2009 trial of people who did Iyengar yoga for three months, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that high blood pressure, which is connected with an increased risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease, was reduced. Cardiologist Dr Dean Ornish led a study in 1990 which showed that coronary artery disease could be reversed, without the need for drugs, through a combination of diet, exercise and lifestyle changes – with yoga cited for its stress reduction benefits.

BEING OVERWEIGHT

Yoga might look gentle but it's actually very effective exercise. Plus, because it helps reduce stress and bolsters moods, it could help in addressing compulsive and emotional eating patterns. The British Wheel Of Yoga's Paul Fox told the Daily Mail: "GPs now refer patients to yoga for weight loss. Most people are obese because of their relationship with food. Yoga builds body awareness and can help people deal with stress and other emotional problems that may be causing them to overeat."