The surprising health benefits of yoga poses
A recently conducted study shows the surprising health benefits of yoga poses, and these range from improving mental health to managing various diseases, such as diabetes.
The study was conducted by Agnieszka Golec de Zavala, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London and Dorottya Lantos, Doctoral Candidate in Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, and was aimed at being published before the International Yoga Day, which this year took place on June 21.
The participants were asked to perform two simple yoga poses for two minutes and ”power poses”, and the subjects that held the yoga poses reported improved feelings of energy, sense of power and self-esteem compared to the group that held the ”power poses”.
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One of the theories trying to offer an explanation is that the psychological benefits of yoga might be linked to the vagus nerve, the tenth cranial nerve, responsible for breathing, circulation and digestion.
The nerve regulates heart rate, besides promoting calm and soothing states. Moreover, it also regulates our caring behaviour, with a well-functioning vagus nerve leading us to feel calm and safe in relation to others.
The study also showed that yoga alleviates chronic pain, while helping with managing coronary artery disease, diabetes, lymphoma, asthma and even breast cancer.
People suffering from mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have also found yoga to be alleviating for them.
The two scientists behind the study concluded that ”even a short practice of yoga poses may positively affect the vagal tone, making us feel more satisfied and happy.”
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