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Namaste |
The term "yoga" originates from the Sanskrit word "Yuj," which signifies the union, connection, or joining of the mind, body, and soul. The ancient sage Patanjali authored the first yoga text in India over 2,000 years ago. In his teachings, Patanjali described yoga as the process of "citta-vrtti-nirodhah," which translates to "stilling the mind." This involved a combination of practices, including breath work, meditation, physical movements, purification techniques for the body, and ethical principles aimed at living a healthy and meaningful life.
What does the research show?
As yoga has gained popularity in recent times, its effects on mental and physical well-being have attracted the attention of researchers, who are discovering its numerous benefits. While yoga involves physical movements, it goes beyond enhancing strength and flexibility. A study involving untrained volunteers revealed that eight weeks of yoga practice resulted in notable improvements in muscular strength (10%-30%) at the elbow and knee, along with increased flexibility (13%-188%) in the ankle, shoulder, and hip joints.
Moreover, yoga offers less apparent yet significant advantages. Research indicates that regular yoga practice can reduce risk factors associated with heart disease, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and abdominal obesity. Among older adults, yoga has shown remarkable enhancements in balance, mobility, cognitive function, and overall quality of life.
Furthermore, yoga demonstrates efficacy in managing pain. It has been found to alleviate symptoms of headaches, osteoarthritis, neck pain, and low-back pain. In fact, the American College of Physicians recommends yoga as an initial nonpharmaceutical treatment option for chronic low-back pain.
Mental health also receives considerable benefits from yoga. Studies indicate that a consistent yoga practice spanning eight to 12 weeks can lead to moderate reductions in anxiety and depressive symptoms, while assisting individuals in stress management.
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