A few decades ago, the word yoga was barely mentioned in the West. But today, who doesn’t know someone who practices it? Yoga has become a part of our society at a dizzying pace, there are more and more rooms where you can practice it and training courses, and there are even people who travel to the East to train with the “masters.”
What is the reason why yoga is so successful? The knowledge that yoga provides of the body, the management of thoughts and emotions, as well as its connection with spiritual states such as peace and compassion, could be among the reasons.
However, it is doubtful whether this practice is not being distorted in the West to the point that it is carried out with the sole objective of achieving certain postures to be able to upload them to social networks, like any other sporting achievement, leaving aside the fundamentals of yoga.
Because, at least in its origin, yoga is not a sport. It implies a philosophy of life thanks to which, through knowledge of the body and its movements, the person can integrate all his internal processes in silence, through the conscious use of breathing.
What science says about the effects of yoga
Practicing yoga helps our brain activity to be healthier. At first glance, this may seem like a very categorical statement, but numerous studies in neuroscience are beginning to shed light in this regard. Using magnetic resonance imaging and other imaging techniques, it has been proven that practicing yoga improves brain structure and functionality in different populations, showing benefits in areas such as the hippocampus, the amygdala, or the prefrontal cortex.
On the other hand, considering that in people with chronic diseases, the psychological sphere plays a fundamental role in addition to the physical, yoga can lend a hand. A large number of clinical trials have evaluated whether the practice of yoga is effective in improving the symptoms of people diagnosed with some type of addiction, cancer, pain, stroke, or Parkinson’s, to name a few conditions. The results of all these studies are promising.
Added to this is a significant number of emerging studies in fields such as menopause, in people who have suffered some type of violence from other individuals, in school and work environments, as well as in older populations.
In these clinical trials, the practice of yoga has shown beneficial effects in improving the overall quality of life and specific aspects related to physical condition, stress levels, the development of emotional and social skills, as well as personal growth.
Where are we going?
All these results encourage us to think that yoga practice can continue to play an important role in society in the coming years. The path is promising, but certain questions need to be answered to facilitate the transition from the results observed at a scientific level to its regular practice in society.
What type of yoga style (e.g. Ashtanga, Hatha, Iyengar, or Kundalini) might be most appropriate for each person? Are all styles suitable for people with chronic illnesses? Are there group or individual sessions? In dedicated rooms or nature?
Although these and other questions remain unanswered, what seems clear is that the practice of yoga is here to stay.
Javier Martínez Calderón, Assistant Professor in Physiotherapy, a postdoctoral researcher in self-management in chronicity. UMSS Research Group, University of Seville