Comprehensive review on the benefits and physiological basis of yoga

Abstract

Yoga is widely considered as a method to improve psychological and physiological status of humans. A review is done about the benefits of yoga from the literature in modern medicine. The common benefits are in physical fitness, mental state, attention, processing speed, memory, cognitive functions and executive functions. Studies have demonstrated the benefits of yoga in metabolic syndrome with reduction of blood sugar, cholesterol, and hypertension. Yoga reduces the age-related deterioration in cardiovascular functions, improves cardiac performance, and makes pulmonary function better. The physiologic mechanisms of yoga are reduction of stress and inflammation, increased gray matter volume, improved neural network flexibility, and reorganization of attentional network. Several studies showed that yogic practices down-regulate the hypothalamopituitary adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. Recent clinical in vivo experiments suggests that yoga enhances inhibitory mediator gamma-aminobutyric acid and enhances peripheral oxytocin levels. Serotonin and melatonin levels are also increased.

Keywords: Yoga; Posture; Breathing exercise; Meditation; Stress; Cognition; Inflammation

Core Tip: There is a wide array of evidence for the physiological benefits of yoga. A simple and compiled practice of asana (stable posture), pranayama (breathing exercise), and dhyana (meditation) will be an ideal wellness program to be included in holistic medicine. But the safety also should be ensured.