5 Ways Yoga Can Keep You Healthier

A study of more than 15,000 middle-aged adults found those who practiced yoga for four or more years were less likely to gain weight over a 10-year period. Other research has found yoga practitioners tend to be more mindful about what and when they eat and are more sensitive to hunger cues and feelings of fullness. 

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A study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found participants who did yoga for 90 minutes once a week for 12 weeks had higher blood levels of disease-fighting antioxidants and amped their immune function. 

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Dozens of studies have found that yoga can provide relief for low-back pain, including a recent review of nearly 1,000 patients. And it doesn’t take long to see results: A study of 80 participants with chronic low-back pain found those who took just one week of yoga reported less disability and better flexibility than those who did other forms of exercise. 

A study from the University of California, San Francisco, found women going through menopause reported 30% fewer hot flashes after two months of weekly yoga classes. And a study from the University of Illinois found postmenopausal women who took a 90-minute Iyengar class twice a week had better energy and moods and lower levels of sexual discomfort, stress, and anxiety after four months. 

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Studies have shown that yoga can help lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, all of which can help keep your cardiovascular system functioning at its best.

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