On demand from Indian PM Modi, the UN declared 21st June as the ‘International Day of Yoga’ in 2014. Few recent studies have proved that Yoga can play major role in overall health of mind and body. Here below, we will talk about few of the important benefits of yoga to help you start this practice on its international day.
International Yoga Day health benefits of ancient practice
Yoga can improve brain health
Several studies have shown relationship between yoga and cognitive health while you can also reduce the risk of Alzheimer by using this practice. A recent study was conducted by Australia’s University of Adelaide and researchers in UCLA found that combination of meditation and yoga can effect positively on cognitive function.
Yoga can improve posture
Men-exclusive Budokon Yoga was founded by Cameron Shayne who says that men can improve blood circulation, strengthens and lengthens soft tissues and relieves emotional tension through the practice of postural yoga. Recent studies show positive effects of yoga and meditation on back pain.
Yoga can alleviate arthritis
In the Journal of Rheumatology, a study was published last year which shows that just 8 weeks of yoga classes improved symptoms of patients suffering from one of the two common forms of arthritis. The participants decreased pain and improved their energy levels, physical functions and walking pace by about 20% while the effects were obvious even after nine months of yoga.
Yoga can boost your mood
During the same study conducted on the patients of arthritis, it was found that the mood of such patients also improved significantly after eight weeks of yoga classes. It was found that yoga and meditation reduced the problems of anxiety, depression and stress.
Yoga can help you sleep
In 2015, a study of more than 40,000 people was taken in USA for examining the effects of various physical activities on sleep and it was found that you can achieve minimum 7 hours of sleep through yoga while it is also proved that meditation can improve the symptoms of disturbed sleep and restore peaceful night sleep while meditation is a part of many yoga classes.
Yoga can help cancer sufferers
In 2015, a study published in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship proved that cancer patients can improve the symptoms of cognitive impairment (a result of cancer treatment) by practicing yoga and meditation. In another study, it was found that side effects of radiation therapy for prostate cancer can be reduced by meditation and yoga.
