a guide to the benefits of yoga
Based on the result of the 2016 Yoga in America Study, more Americans are practicing yoga today, ~37 million, up 20 million since the last survey in 2012. Yoga is broadly seen as a positive activity for physical & mental health. Not only are more Americans practicing yoga today but more clinical research is being conducted to study the health benefits of yoga.
yoga improves the following conditions:
- ADHD
- anxiety
- arrhythmia
- arthritis
- asthma
- bipolar disorder
- cancer
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- CHF
- COPD
- depression
- diabetes
- drug withdrawal
- eating disorders
- epilepsy
- fibromyalgia
- heart disease
- HIV/AIDS
- hypertension
- IBS/ IBD
- incontinence (stress)
- infertility
- insomnia
- menopausal/peri-menopausal symptoms
- migraine
- multiple sclerosis
- neuroses (phobias)
- OCD
- osteoarthritis
- osteoporosis
- pain (chronic)
- pancreatitis
- pregnancy
- rheumatoid arthritis
- rhinitis
- scoliosis
- schizophrenia
- sinusitis
- stress
- substance abuse
- tuberculosis
IMPROVES:
- autonomic balance
- body awareness
- brain function
- cardiovascular function
- diaphragmatic breathing
- endurance
- endocrine function
- flexibility
- gastrointestinal function
- immune function
- joint range of motion
- memory
- mood
- muscle mass
- nervous system function
- posture
- psychological health
- quality of life
- resiliency
- respiratory function
- strength
- self-awareness
- sexual function
- sleep
- stability
REDUCES:
- blood pressure
- heart rate
- inflammation
- muscle tension
- pulse
- respiratory rate
- risk of heart attack & stroke
LOWERS:
- adrenaline
- catecholamines
- cortisol levels
- glucose levels
- LDL cholesterol
- monoamine oxidase
- sodium
- total cholesterol
- total white blood cell count
- triglycerides
INCREASES:
- alpha waves
- ATPase
- blood flow
- carbon dioxide elimination
- cholinesterase
- circulation of lymph
- energy levels
- GABA levels
- heart rate variability
- hematocrit
- hemoglobin
- HDL cholesterol
- lymphocyte count
- oxygen absorption
- oxytocin
- prolactin
- RBCs: red blood cells
- serotonin
- total serum protein
- theta waves
- thyroxin
- vagus nerve stimulation
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ADHD: Jensen P.S. et al. The effects of yoga on the attention and behavior of boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Atten Disord. 2004;7(4):205–216.
CVD + HIV: Cade W.T. et al. Yoga lifestyle intervention reduces blood pressure in HIV-infected adults with cardiovascular disease risk factors. HIV Med. 2010;11(6):379–388.
EATING DISORDERS: McIver S. et al. Yoga as a treatment for binge eating disorder: a preliminary study. Complement Ther Med. 2009;17(4):196–202.
GABA: Streeter C.C. et al. Effects of yoga on the Autonomic Nervous System, GABA and allostasis in epilepsy, depression and PTSD. 2012. 78(5):571-9.
GABA: Streeter C.C. et al. Effects of yoga versus walking on mood, anxiety and brain GABA levels: a randomized controlled MRS study. J of alt & comp med. 2010. 16(11): 1145-52
GABA: Streeter CC et al. Yoga asana sessions increased brain GABA levels: a pilot study. J of alt & compl med. 2007. 13(4): 419-26
HIV: Penzak S.R. et al. Depression & Patients with HIV Infection. Am J Health System Pharm. 2000. 57(4): 376-89
HRV: Cheema B.S. et al. Effect of an office worksite-based yoga program on heart rate variability: outcomes of a RCT. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2013;13:82.
MENTAL HEALTH: Shapiro D. et al. Mood changes associated with Iyengar Yoga practices: a pilot study. Intl J of Yoga Therapy. 2004. 14:35-44.
PARKINSON’S: Colgrove Y.S. et al. Effect of yoga on motor function in people with Parkinson’s disease: a randomized, controlled pilot study. J Yoga Phys Ther. 2012;2(2):112.
RHEUMATIC DISEASE: Cramer H et al. Yoga for rheumatic diseases: a systematic review. Rheumatology. 2013;52(11):2025–2030.
