Yoga originated in ancient India – the word yoga comes from Sanskrit and means ‘to join together.’ Yoga focuses on the joining together of mind, body and spirit through three main practices: postures, breathing and meditation.
There are many health benefits of yoga - some you might not even expect!
Yoga is not a religion! Yoga is for all ages, genders, and abilities. You do not have to perfect to practise yoga, instead, it is about learning to connect with oneself and enjoying the journey along the way.
My Medical Opinion on Yoga
As a doctor, the science behind yoga is very important to me. I would only promote something unless I truly believed in the benefits. I have evidence from scientific data, but also my own journey has taught and healed my body mentally and physically.
I have spent many years working with the British public in trying to cure diseases that are caused by a poor lifestyle. This of course involves advising exercise and a healthy diet, stopping smoking, reducing alcohol intake, unfortunately, most patients will need medication which may come with side effects.
My purpose for teaching yoga is to prevent more of these cases and improve the public health of my local community. By joining my yoga classes you will feel the benefits and prevent these diseases caused by poor lifestyle choices.
Improved Brain Function - According to a new publication in the journal Brain Plasticity, yoga can enhance your brain function and positively affect the structure of your brain. With age, we often see reduced amounts of grey matter in the brain that can be linked to poor brain function and memory. This was seen to improve with regular yoga practice.
Lower Stress Levels - Most people live life chronically stressed without realising it. Chronic and acute stress raises cortisol levels. Excess cortisol can suppress thyroid function, decrease muscle tissue, increase blood pressure, lower immunity, and increase inflammatory responses. Yoga is able to activate the parasympathetic nervous system through deep relaxation, and therefore counter the negative effects of stress.
Lower Blood Pressure - Hypertension is associated with an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, chronic kidney disease. According to a meta-analysis Yoga was associated with a modest, but significant reduction in blood pressure.
Improved Lung Capacity - The practice of yoga involves not only asanas but Pranayama too. Pranayama is a collection of breathing techniques that are utilised throughout a routine. Research has shown that Yoga improves chest wall expansion and improves lung capacity. These findings may benefit those with respiratory conditions such as asthma, COPD.
Increased Flexibility - Of course, we all know yoga makes us more flexible! Repeated practice results in increased flexibility, improved muscle tone, reduces risk of injuries and improves circulation. Not only do you become more physically flexible, but mental adaptability improves as you learn more about your body and mind in your practice.
Reduced Chronic Pain - Yoga has been demonstrated to help people with chronic pain. Studies showed that yoga helps reduce pain perception, decrease inflammation, and improve mobility among people with a range of chronic pain conditions.
Anxiety Relief - Yoga promotes mental health and helps us to regulate our emotional responses. Neha Gothe, PhD, study co-author and director of the Exercise Psychology Lab at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign states "the amygdala, located deep inside the temporal lobe, is responsible for behaviour prompted by emotional responses. It’s your centre for fear and aggression, but also for pleasure and contentment. Getting greater “tone” in that little set of neurons can reduce fear-based responses and elevate feelings of well-being".
Improved Balance - Yoga improves balance and flexibility through sustained postures with breathwork. Research has shown these benefits in young athletes as well as the elderly. With falls being a significant risk factor for hospitalisation and increased morbidity and mortality, working on balance becomes even more important with age.
Increased Strength - Most people forget that yoga can be incredible for strengthening and toning the body too! A growing number of research studies shows that yoga leads to improvements in muscular strength and cardiovascular fitness.
Lower risk of heart disease - Studies show that yoga improves strength, cardiovascular fitness and reduces inflammation in the body. The combination of all of these benefits reduces the risk of metabolic syndrome (a condition that increased the risk of diabetes, heart disease and strokes). One study found that patients with heart failure had improved exercise tolerance, quality of life and reduced inflammatory blood markers. All of these benefits, after only 8 weeks of yoga!
Increased Energy Levels - Pranayama involves specific breathing techniques, some of these breathing techniques open up our energy channels. The yogis describe these as "Nadis" (River energy channels throughout the body), Chinese medicine calling them the "meridians" of the body. Breathwork and yoga postures can help us to connect to these energy channels and open up the body. I promise, after a class with me, you will feel a notable difference in your energy levels!
