Some people are dedicated yogis, while others struggle to incorporate yoga into their regular routine.
I am currently part of the latter camp, but a new analysis looking into yoga’s effect on health has me ready to commit.
Yoga is known to relax the mind while gently toning and strengthening the body. It certainly improves flexibility and can complement traditional strength training and aerobic exercise.
But I didn’t realize yoga could have such a profound impact on cholesterol levels and other heart disease risk factors.
A large new systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the role of yoga on lipid profiles. A total of 53 studies were analyzed, including more than 13,000 people over a span of 30 years.
The effects of yoga were striking, producing:
- Lower Total Cholesterol (−10.31 mg/dl)
- Lower LDL (“Bad”) Cholesterol (−8.64 mg/dl)
- Lower Triglycerides (−13.50 mg/dl)
- Higher HDL (“Good”) Cholesterol (+1.98 mg/dl)
Other research has shown that yoga stimulates metabolism, improves insulin sensitivity, and can prevent or improve atherosclerosis.
Most studies did not measure the intensity of yoga to produce optimal results, but practice of more than 12 weeks has delivered better results on lipid profiles.
Any style and intensity of yoga is probably beneficial, so it’s best to just do what you enjoy. For me, a slow and relaxing practice is most appealing, to complement my other higher-intensity exercise.
Specifically, yoga nidra is the form of yoga I am most interested to try, for its deep relaxation benefits. Dr. Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist and Professor of Neurobiology at Stanford, has talked extensively about how yoga nidra dramatically improves sleep and stress.
Whatever form of yoga you choose, maintaining consistency is key.
Stick with a yoga practice you enjoy and reap the proven health benefits.
