Reduce your chances of getting colds, flus and other illness with more yoga.

EVIDENCE BASED

The strength and flexibility benefits of yoga are well known, but did you know yoga helps your brain and immune system too? And did you know those two—your brain and immune system—are actually one?

“The practice of yoga helps improve emotion regulation to reduce stress, anxiety and depression,” said lead study author Neha Gothe, PhD, director of the Exercise Psychology Lab and professor at University of Illinois, “and that seems to improve brain functioning.” University of Illinois and Wayne State University researchers reviewed 11 studies on yoga’s effects on brain structures, function, and cerebral blood flow. Practicing yoga benefits both brain structure and function by increasing grey matter in brain regions responsible for memory recall and emotion regulation per study findings. Another study found that to get yoga’s stress reduction benefits only requires once weekly practice for 90 minutes.

What is emotion regulation?

When you get cut off in traffic or someone honks loudly at you, do you respond with road rage or are you able to pause, breathe deeply and choose to let an agitated driver pass by? The latter choice exemplifies emotion regulation—the ability to calm emotions and choose a response, rather than to over-react in ways you may later regret. Strengthening brain function in areas that regulate emotions means that you will have fewer emotional highs and lows and enjoy a more stable mood overall. Mastery of this is known as “equanimity”—mental calmness, composure and evenness of temper regardless of whatever circumstances surround you. Click here for a 10 minute Equanimity Mediation.

More stable moods reduce your experience of stress. Stress is not only mental and emotional, it also triggers physiological and biochemical responses that, left unchecked, can increase inflammation risks that taxes your immune system and can lead to more risks of colds, flus and chronic diseases over time. So calm moods equal a happier life and better health!

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Recent research shows that yoga practice, in particular a yogic lifestyle that includes meditation, breathing exercises, healthy eating practices and rest and relaxation, reduces this stress response and boosts chemicals that reduce inflammation. Learn more about the yogic lifestyle here. I hope this news inspires you to appreciate the yoga practice you have, if you’re already doing it, or encourages you to try it, if you’re considering it. 

Yoga practice extends far beyond the physical practice of yoga postures and embraces a balanced, healthy lifestyle. 

Here’s to your happy, healthy immune system this winter. Learn 9 Tips To Boost Your Immunity here.

Until next time may you be at ease and peace and remember to love yourself healthy!

Shirley Archer
The Wellness Sensei

PS. With cold and flu season upon us, here’s some additional information for you and your immune system: I highly recommend this article, “New Research on How Yoga Boosts Your Immune System” from Marlynn Wei, M.D., J.D.