Yoga is an ancient practice that originated in India and is now used as a type of mind-body therapy. The word “yoga” means union and refers to the union of mind and body. Yoga includes eight limbs or spiritual guidelines, including moral behavior, healthy habits, physical postures, breathing exercises, sense withdrawal, concentration, contemplation, and higher consciousness. While not all yoga styles incorporate all eight limbs, most include physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. Hatha yoga is the style most commonly practiced in western countries and studied in research (Chu & Chang, 2014).
Yoga has many physical benefits, including increasing core muscle strength and flexibility, and has been recommended for treating low back pain. It has also been found to reduce blood pressure and improve outcomes in patients with chronic diseases.
Yoga is also known for its positive effects on mental health. It has been shown to reduce stress, depression, and anxiety, and improve psychological health in patients with cancer. (Bussing et al., 2012; Hagins et al., 2013; Manchanda & Madan, 2014).
References
Bussing, A., Michalsen, A., Khalsa, S. B. S., Telles, S., & Sherman, K. J. (2012). Effects of yoga on mental and physical health: A short summary of reviews. Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 17, 165410.
Chu, I-H., & Chang, Y-K. (2019) In D. Hackfort, R. J. Schinke, & B. Strauss (Eds.), Dictionary of sport psychology: Sport, exercise, and performing arts. Academic Press, 316-317.
Hagins, M., States, R., Selfe, T., & Innes, K. (2013). Effectiveness of yoga for hypertension: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 17, 649836.
Manchanda, S. C., & Madan, K. (2014). Yoga and meditation in cardiovascular disease. Clinical Research in Cardiology, 103, 675680.
