What are the benefits of yoga?

Why is everyone doing it and why is it increasing in popularity?

Over half a million people in the UK regularly practice yoga and this figure is growing by around 10% per year. Increasingly people are experiencing the benefits - both physical and mental - and are spreading the word. This is driven by a greater emphasis on the need to keep our bodies fit, strong and healthy (particularly as we age) and likewise to improve our mental health.

A recent study by the British Medical Journal showed that 98.4%, 96.8% and 93.2% of people found yoga helpful for stress, anxiety and depression respectively. These are significant numbers.

I’m worried that I can’t sit cross legged. Is yoga for me?

Yes! Yoga is for everyone. We can’t stress this enough! You don’t have to ‘achieve’ any poses in fact we positively encourage support and adjustments throughout our classes.

Is it good for weight loss?

Any form of exercise aids weight loss but it is not a focus of yoga. The benefits are more holistic, in that as your well-being improves, you may feel more content and less likely to do anything to excess.

What are the physical benefits?

These are numerous. The benefits you will notice include increased strength, flexibility, stamina, improved balance and increased awareness and understanding of your body. 

The British Medical Journal study showed that yoga helps with a range of conditions, including musculoskeletal (e.g. back pain, arthritis), cardiovascular (e.g. high blood pressure and asthma), gastrointestinal (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome) and neurological conditions (e.g. headaches and migraines). It also suggests it improves post-pregnancy recovery and boosts the immune system.

Is it good for the soul?

Whatever your belief system or whether you even have one, we all know that feeling when we watch a sunset or listen to a beautiful piece of music. It’s life affirming and we feel like part of something bigger than ourselves. Yoga is another way to access this feeling. Through breathing, mindfulness and meditation we can achieve a heightened sense of well-being.

Why are so few men doing it?

We ask ourselves that all the time. It’s certainly not the experience in India. As it’s predominantly practised by women in western cultures, It’s been perceived as a female activity. However, apart from the mental benefits already mentioned, yoga has huge physical benefits, including increased strength and flexibility. It’s great for runners and if you lift weights at the gym, the strengthening whilst lengthening aspects of yoga practice will increase your stability and stamina. Come along and try it. What have you got to lose?

If you’d like to read more about the British Medical Journal’s survey on Yoga practice in the UK, click here.