Vicki Doe Fitness

  • Resources
  • Events
  • Subscribe
  • Log In
  • Your Profile
  • Cart
  • Home
    • Who We Are
    • Our Company
    • Services
    • Our Team
  • Blog
  • Train
    • VDF Academy
    • Bootcamp
    • Coach App
  • Podcast
    • About the Show
    • Vicki Haywood Doe, PhD, ACSM-EP
    • Virginia Dee Banks, MD,MBA
  • Multimedia
    • VDF Exercise Tips
    • Podcast
    • Healthy TV
    • Healthy Kitchen TV
    • Healthy News
  • The Experts
  • Contact
  • Vicki Doe Fitness STORE
  • Join
  • Login
  • Your Profile
  • Cart

Want the inside scoop? Join our community. Stay connected

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

The benefits of Yoga

February 13, 2018 by Vicki Doe

By Jonathon Stavres PhD, ACSM-EP-C

Yoga is a form of exercise that employs balance, flexibility, and strength in an effort to increase core strength, decrease mental stress, and improve range of motion. This form of exercise is very popular among a range of demographics and can be performed in a studio or at home.

While it may not be surprising that yoga has been shown to improve balance and flexibility, there are some additional benefits of yoga that many people aren’t aware of.

Yoga reduces blood pressure and blood glucose levels

In some studies, participation in yoga has been related to a reduction in secondary cardiovascular disease risk. Datey, Deshmukh, Dalvi, and Vinekar (1969) found that Shavasana (a common technique used in yoga) lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure in 52% of a sample of patients with diagnosed hypertension.

Another study by Murugesan, Govindarajulu, and Bera (2000) found evidence that yoga was equally as effective at reducing blood pressure as drug therapy in a group of 33 hypertensive individuals.

Aside from blood pressure, yoga has been shown to combat metabolic syndrome. Innes, Bourguignon, and Taylor (2005) conducted a systematic review that found evidence supporting the role of yoga in reducing insulin resistance-related risk factors. Yoga has also been suggested to improve weight loss, stress, and even lipid profiles (Manchanda & Madan, 2014).

Yoga improves emotional health

Moving beyond physical health, yoga has been shown to improve emotional health. A meta-analysis of previously published data found evidence that integrated yoga (physical yoga combined with meditation and relaxation) could improve some symptoms of prenatal depression in pregnant mothers (Gong, Ni, Shen, Wu, & Jiang, 2015).

Similarly, there is evidence to suggest that Sahaj and Laughter yoga are both effective methods of treating depression in clinically depressed individuals (Shahidi et al., 2011; Sharma, Das, Mondal, Goswampi, & Gandhi, 2005).

Yoga improves cognitive function

Finally, yoga may help to improve cognitive function. Gothe and McAuley (2015) conducted a systematic review of 22 previously published research articles examining the influence of yoga on cognitive function. When data from all of these studies were combined, the results indicated that participation in yoga was associated with modest improvements in executive function, processing speed, and other measures of cognition.

Practicing yoga requires a person to focus on a specific task while simultaneously clearing (or controlling) their thoughts. While this may sound paradoxical, the ability to clear your mind and focus intently on a single task can sometimes be a significant mental challenge. This may contribute to the suggested benefits of yoga on cognitive function.

In conclusion, yoga is a common and relatively cheap form of exercise that has measurable benefits. Not only can yoga improve your balance and flexibility, but you may also experience improvements in physical, mental, and cognitive health.

 

*Before starting an exercise or nutrition regimen, consult with your physician and/or healthcare provider and registered dietitian.

**For more examples of other variations/exercises look under   Multimedia-VDF Exercise Tips 

 

 

Go to our Resources page-   For the most recommended tools, you need to succeed on your healthy living journey!!

 

Article’s Resources

Datey, K. K., Deshmukh, S. N., Dalvi, C. P., & Vinekar, S. L. (1969). “Shavasan”: A yogic exercise in the management of hypertension. Angiology, 20(6), 325-333. doi: 10.1177/000331976902000602

Gong, H., Ni, C., Shen, X., Wu, T., & Jiang, C. (2015). Yoga for prenatal depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry, 15, 14. doi: 10.1186/s12888-015-0393-1

Gothe, N. P., & McAuley, E. (2015). Yoga and Cognition: A Meta-Analysis of Chronic and Acute Effects. Psychosom Med, 77(7), 784-797. doi: 10.1097/psy.0000000000000218

Innes, K. E., Bourguignon, C., & Taylor, A. G. (2005). Risk indices associated with the insulin resistance syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and possible protection with yoga: a systematic review. J Am Board Fam Pract, 18(6), 491-519.

Manchanda, S. C., & Madan, K. (2014). Yoga and meditation in cardiovascular disease. Clin Res Cardiol, 103(9), 675-680. doi: 10.1007/s00392-014-0663-9

Murugesan, R., Govindarajulu, N., & Bera, T. K. (2000). Effect of selected yogic practices on the management of hypertension. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol, 44(2), 207-210.

Shahidi, M., Mojtahed, A., Modabbernia, A., Mojtahed, M., Shafiabady, A., Delavar, A., & Honari, H. (2011). Laughter yoga versus group exercise program in elderly depressed women: a randomized controlled trial. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry, 26(3), 322-327. doi: 10.1002/gps.2545

Sharma, V. K., Das, S., Mondal, S., Goswampi, U., & Gandhi, A. (2005). Effect of Sahaj Yoga on depressive disorders. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol, 49(4), 462-468.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Related

© Copyright 2014-2024 Vicki Doe Fitness · Haywood Doe Consulting Co.,LLC· DBA Vicki Doe Fitness· All Rights Reserved

Filed Under: Ask the Experts Tagged With: BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVELS, cognitive function, COGNITIVE HEALTH, depression, EMOTIONAL HEALTH, HYPERTENSIVE INDIVIDUALS, insulin, Jonathon Stavres PhD, MEDIATION, METABOLIC SYNDROME, PHYSICAL HEALTH, REDUCED BLOOD PRESSURE, relaxation, SECONDARY CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK, stress, Vicki Doe Fitness, weight loss, Yoga

  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo

Check out our Vicki Doe Fitness STORE

Screenshot

FREE Download- Herbs and Spices Cheatsheet

20 Healthy Breakfast Ideas for Under 15 mins.

Train

Events

Year-2025

May 2025
M T W T F S S
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031  
« Apr    

Get in touch. Leave a message.

VDF Podcast-Archives

“It’s All About Health & Fitness” Podcast-Apple Podcast

“It’s All About Health & Fitness” Podcast-TuneIn

“It’s All About Health & Fitness”- Podcast-Pandora

“It’s All About Health & Fitness” Podcast-Stitcher

Listen to Stitcher

“It’s All About Health & Fitness’ Podcast-Spotify

Premium Podcast Member-Members Only

Latest VDF Exercise Tips

Hypertension: Cardio endurance exercises

Osteoporosis: Weight-bearing exercises

Diabetes: Cardio exercises

VIEW Most Trusted Resources

Resources for Healthy Living!

Check out ShareASale

Check out Yoga Download.com

Check out Layla Sleep Inc

Check out Just Natural Products

Check out The Wright Stuff-Home Health Care Products

WrightStuff.biz

Check out MHR Brands

CBD for skin

Check out AliveCor.com

Shop AliveCor.com

Check out Triathlete Sports

Check out-ECO Friendly Lunchbox.com

Check out Heartsmart.com

Check out myLabBox, Inc.

Check out AliveCor

Check out YogaDownload.com

Check out Art of Tea

Check out Filtered Water-The Water Store

Drink Responsibly, Filter Water NOw

Check out Triathlete Sports

Check out Layla Sleep Inc.

Check out FilterWater.com The Water Store

Drink Responsibly. Water Filters

Check out Heartsmart.com

Check out Yoga Download.com

Check out Art of Tea

Our M?nuka honey is 100% pure, sourced directly from New Zealand with an MGO 550+ rating.

Check out myLab Box, Inc.

Check out ECO Friendly Lunchbox.com

We've updated the Spring Guide and ECOlunchbox is highlighted :)

Check out The Wright Stuff- Home Health Care Products

ArthritisSupplies.com

Check out Just Natural Products

Check out MHR Brands

Check out ShareASale

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Home· VDFpodcast· VDF.TV· Subscribe · Support ·About us· Contact us

 

© Copyright 2024 Vicki Doe Fitness · Haywood Doe Consulting Co.,LLC· DBA Vicki Doe Fitness· All Rights Reserved

· Terms of Service and Privacy Guidelines·

Consult with a physician or medical healthcare provider for medical advice, diagnosis, and/or treatment. The material on the Vicki Doe Fitness website is for informational purposes only.