Benefits of Yoga—What the Research Says About its Use for Common Health Problems

• Recent research shows people with atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) can benefit from yoga.
• Three months of regular yoga sessions resulted in a 50 percent reduction of reported incidents of heart quivering. Average heart rate also fell from 67 beats per minute to 61-62 beats per minute post-yoga. Participants also reported less anxiety and depression.
• A review of more than 100 studies looking at the effect of yoga on mental health found evidence that yoga has a positive effect on mild depression, sleep problems, schizophrenia and ADHD.
• A study published last year discovered that yoga has a beneficial impact on leptin, a hormone that plays a key role in regulating energy intake and energy expenditure.
• Expert yoga practitioners had 36 percent higher leptin levels compared to novices, leading researchers to speculate that regular yoga practice may benefit your health by altering leptin production.
• Ideally, you’ll want a comprehensive fitness program that includes aerobic, anaerobic, and resistance training as well, in addition to flexibility- and core-building exercises like yoga
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