Exercise 5 Science-Backed Ways Yoga Can Help You By Eliana Osborn Editor’s note: Before starting yoga or any new exercise activity, be sure to check with your doctor. You can practice yoga at any age, in a group or on your own. And if you think you have to get all new-agey to benefit from this ancient activity, reconsider. Hard and fast science is finding real ways yoga can make a difference to your body and mind. Here are five ways yoga can help you: Increased flexibility While one hour of yoga wonΓÇÖt change your life, it doesnΓÇÖt take long to start seeing benefits. The Mayo Clinic reports that regular yoga practice ΓÇ£may help reverse some effects of aging, such as restricted and narrowed movements.ΓÇ¥ More and more health researchers are focusing on flexibility as a measure of wellness. When joints are flexible, thereΓÇÖs less risk of injury. Your body also requires less energy to do things, making exercise or activity easier.Yoga may look like it is only for people already flexible, but that isnΓÇÖt true. You can modify every position based on where your body is today. Bit by bit, through patient practice, youΓÇÖll see real improvements in flexibility. Decreased blood pressure Blood pressure problems lead to heart problems, so millions of Americans take medication to treat the issue. But a simple yoga practiceΓÇöeven modifiedΓÇöcan have similar results. Stressful events raise our blood pressure, as the body releases hormones to get you ready for action. Yoga can counteract that and help your blood pressure remain stable no matter what life throws at you. There are specific postures, or moves, that have been found to impact blood pressure, and a good instructor will be able to tailor a routine targeting this health benefit. Pain relief Lower back pain is the main area studies have looked at since it can be so hard to treat. Scientists at the University of Maryland School of Medicine analyzed a variety of studies and compared yoga to other treatments. They determined that yoga could help with back pain and functionality. Other research on migraines shows that three months of yoga leads to less frequent and less intense headache compared to people taking medication. This is one area where you want to be careful and talk with your physician and your instructor. Back problems, in particular, can get worse if you do movements incorrectly. Moving slowly, taking the time to learn techniques, and working with your teacher, can all combine to mean lasting improvements in chronic pain. Improved well-being Some of the hardest things to measure are the ones that make the most difference in our life. That includes the general concept of well-being. Researchers are finding improvements in how people feel overall when they participate in yoga. That can mean lower stress levels, less anxiety, or a more positive outlook on the future. One type of yogaΓÇöyoga nidra or sleep yogaΓÇöis used to help with PTSD and other serious issues. You may not think the Department of Defense is where youΓÇÖd find yoga research and training, but theyΓÇÖve been using these techniques for years with great results. Chronic stress causes inflammation which impacts nearly all body systems. Ohio State University researchers have found that women who practice yoga have lower levels of blood compounds that cause inflammationΓÇöboth generally and after having stressful experiences. Better balance Falling becomes a bigger problem as we age, so balance is key. Indiana University researchers studied how yoga helped with generally and found that balance dramatically improved. After a stroke or with other health conditions, poor balance can lead to bigger problems. Henry Ford Hospital in Michigan developed a yoga program for women with chronic lung problems. TheyΓÇÖve seen great results with yoga for helping women get the balance and strength they need to go about regular lifeΓÇöthings like walking up stairs. The bottom line: If youΓÇÖre not inclined to say OM, you donΓÇÖt have to. Just concentrate on how your health and well-being can begin to improve with every stretch.