Alternative Health Blog

As a healing art, yoga has been a popular part of humanity for centuries. So it isn’t surprising that a number of studies show yoga not only improves strength, flexibility and balance but also can, say, reduce blood pressure or lessen joint pain in rheumatoid arthritis patients. But the scientific emergence of yoga nonetheless helps convince the medical community (both doctors and health insurance plans) that yoga can fit into any recovery or wellness program.

The American Council of Exercise, which certifies personal trainers and fitness instructors, commissioned a recent University of Wisconsin–La Crosse study to determine if yoga can increase strength, flexibility and aerobic endurance. The researchers recruited 34 sedentary women and enrolled about half in a three-times weekly hatha yoga class. Compared to the control group, after two months the women from yoga class could perform six more pushups and 14 more sit-ups, on average.

Flexibility gains for the yogi women ranged from 13 to 35 percent, while their collective ability to balance on one leg was 17 seconds longer than the women in the control group.

On the other hand, a regular yoga practice did not have any significant impact on aerobic endurance.

The one-legged balance might seem a bit irrelevant or gimmicky or both, but a new study from the Gait Study Center at Temple University reports that Iyengar yoga can prevent falls and increase mobility among women 65 and older. Federal statistics show that about a third of all U.S. adults fall each year.

Iyengar is a type of yoga that puts an emphasis on breathing technique as an integral part of the poses or asanas. The Temple researchers designed a program specifically aimed at improving stability and balance in older populations. In nine weeks, the women in the study walked faster, increased flexibility, improved single-leg balance and, not unimportantly, gained confidence in walking and living independently.

One thing that greatly impressed the Temple researchers is that participants “stuck with the program” over the nine weeks and attained much greater strength and flexibility in the lower legs and feet—parts of the body that weaken in many older adults. What’s more, a number of the yogi women enjoyed a by-product benefit of reduced pain in the back, neck and knee joints.

More good science and good news for yoga enthusiasts—and anyone intrigued with taking up a practice for therapeutic effect: The National Institutes of Health issued a government research review that concluded “There is some high quality scientific literature supporting the use of [yoga] as a treatment for hypertension, and the magnitude of the effect is clinically significant.

In fact, the NIH was impressed enough with yoga’s research portfolio that it staged the first-ever “NIH Yoga Week: Exploring the Science and Practice of Yoga” in May 2008 at its headquarters in Maryland. The program was targeted for both NIH employees and the general public. The event was a success and figures to make the official government docket each spring.

Sun salutation, anyone?

Bob Condor blogs for Alternative Health Journal every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.