The unrelenting existence of Yoga

Yoga as a form of exercise continues to be ever popular. From being first invented thousands of years ago, its unchallenged effectiveness and benefits have made it survive civilizations, centuries, and generations. Thousands of books have been written on Yoga and it continues to be rediscovered in different forms. Now recent medical research sheds light on the inner workings of Yoga.

Origins

Yoga derived from the Sanskrit word योग has been understood as the unionization of mind, body, and spirit. The practice and its interpretations have been referred in several ancient books written by different authors across ages. Interestingly, early signs of Yoga practice are also evident from the excavations of Indus Valley Civilizations.

Indus Valley Seals with Meditative Postures

But the most comprehensive and popular reference is through the book - Yoga Sutras by sage Patanjali which introduces eight limbs of Yoga transcending into the psychological and lifestyle aspect of Yoga. The popularity of Yoga can be ascertained by the fact that many cultures and religions incorporate its practices including Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism.

"Be equal minded in both success and failure. Such equanimity is called Yoga" - Gita

Buddhism especially Tibetan Buddhism combined philosophy and mindfulness into the original Yoga and created more comprehensive versions of Deity Yoga which spread from India to Tibet to parts of China and Japan. The text - Yogakarbhumi Shastra or Treatise for Yoga Practitioners is a huge volume on Yoga which interestingly has not been completely translated yet.

Modern Yoga

While many of the ancient scriptures discuss the spiritual and philosophical foundation of Yoga, the modern system treats Yoga as a system of exercise and meditation. The various poses and aligned breathing practices are designed to center oneself. Yoga has evolved as a practice to bring harmony via moving your body, aligning your breath, and focusing on the self. The breathing part of Yoga is known as "Pranayama" and the Meditation part is known as "Dhyanam".

people exercising — Photo by Anupam Mahapatra / Unsplash

Popular Yoga form is Hatha Yoga which focuses on the poses and works as both exercise and physical therapy. At the same time, Vinyasa Yoga focuses on the flow and combination of poses aligned with the timing of breaths allowing Yoga as an exercise to work both as rejuvenating and therapeutic. Finally, Ashtanga Yoga tries to also explore the higher forms of postures combined with concentration techniques to focus on the nervous systems. Other forms of yoga such as Hot Yoga, Aerial Yoga, Goat Yoga, Mindful Yoga, etc have evolved. Yoga combined with a surge of fashion apparel has seen growing popularity across ages. Brands such as Lululemon and Athlete have positioned their entire offering on Yoga pants as evidence of stretchable and durable garments for multi-use.

"Yoga liberates both body and mind." - Tibetan Proverb

Medical Research

Self-perception of the benefits of doing Yoga is well documented within both literature, ancient books, and scriptures. But evidence from a medical standpoint remains an active area of research -

1. Physical Health

Cardiovascular Health - In a pilot study of 2005, 26 adults were given a six-week training on Yoga. Significant changes were observed in their diastolic pressure at the end of the regimen.
Muscle Flexibility: Yoga has been proven to improve our musculoskeletal flexibility. A 2014 study on 16 females proves the significant enhancement of hamstring and spinal flexibility.
Respiratory Health: Pranayama, or yogic breathing exercises, have been shown to significantly improve lung function as per a 2021 study in Journal of Biosciences

2. Yoga as Recovery and Therapeutics

Bone Mineral Density: In a critical study about Osteoporosis, it was found that a mere 12-minute Daily Yoga can reverse the decline in BMD in our body.
Breast Cancer Survivors: Yoga has been proven to combat depression among post-surgery survivors of Breast Cancers. The group had improved self-perceived well-being and most importantly high adherence towards exercises
Parkinson's: One of the most underrated benefits of Yoga is the ease of access and in turn adherence. In a 2016 study, Yoga has shown remarkable benefits on lower limb strength and most importantly exceptional adherence among participants

Yoga heals not only the body but also the mind - Japanese Proverb

3. Mental and Cognitive Benefits

Stress and Mental Well-Being: Studies have consistently shown that yoga reduces stress and improves cognitive functions. A 2022 study did a comprehensive review of several previous studies and deduced that including a reduction in stress, a disciplined Yoga practice can introduce positive structural changes in the brain as well.
Depression and Anxiety: A 2021 study on more than 50 women significant improvements in their depression, stress, and level of rumination. Recent research on transdiagnostic nature of Yoga has been shown to combat multiple mental health issues such as loneliness, anxiety, PTSD, and so on
Cognitive Health: Yoga offers unique cognitive benefits, particularly for older adults. A meta-analysis including 13 randomized controlled trials showcases the positive effect of Yoga on Attention, Executive Functions, and Memory of Older Adults.
Memory Enhancement Training: In a small 2016 study in California, Yoga improved the brain structure to enhance both verbal ability as well as visuospatial memory performance.

In summary, yoga provides extensive benefits across physical health maintenance, therapeutic recovery, and cognitive well-being, making it a valuable practice for holistic health improvement.

Apparel companies such as Lululemon have helped Yoga into popular culture

Oseterics is on a mission to inspire you for active and graceful aging. A regular, practical, and tailored Yoga regimen is proven to help in both physical and mental health.

Oseterics Yoga

We started Oseterics Yoga as a one-stop solution for accessible graceful aging. We work with senior experts to design safe and curated workouts designed for older adults and cover many conditions such as Hypertension, Osteoporosis, etc.

1. Tailored for Mature Bodies

Oseterics Yoga offers workouts tailored for individuals aged 50 and above.
The routines address common age-related concerns such as flexibility, balance, mobility, and strength.
Practices are designed to be safe and effective for older adults, helping them maintain their physical health and independence as they age.

2. Focus on Mature Needs + Apple Health

The app includes specific programs aimed at managing various health conditions that are prevalent among older adults, such as diabetes, hypertension, joint issues, and fall prevention.
This therapeutic approach integrates yoga with the management of these conditions, promoting overall well-being and enhancing the quality of life.
The app is closely integrated with Apple Health so that you can track critical health vitals

3. Accessibility and Convenience

Oseterics Yoga is accessible via iOS devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Mac laptops. Enhanced search options allow one to directly select themes, topics, durations, and instructors
It supports various levels of mobility, offering chair yoga and different levels of difficulty.
Moreover, you can choose from Yoga, Chair Yoga, Tai Chi, Face Yoga and so much more, all designed for older adults.

4. Inspirational and Educational Content

Both our app and website, feature a rich collection of stories, articles, and real-life interviews that inspire and educate us about active aging.
These resources help users stay motivated and informed about the best practices while they struggle with aging and related issues.

Perfection in an asana is achieved when the effort to perform it becomes effortless and the infinite being within is reached - Patanjali Sutra

5. Experienced Instructors

Oseterics Yoga boasts a team of experienced instructors specializing in teaching older adults. These instructors bring a wealth of knowledge and practical experience, ensuring that the yoga practices are both effective, engaging, and safe for everyone.
Many of our instructors are above the age of 50,60 and even 70. This helps us to create yoga content with more empathy due to our personal experiences.

6. Progress Tracking and Motivation

The app includes features to track users' yoga practice, set reminders, maintain workout schedules, and earn badges. This helps you stay motivated and committed to your yoga journey, providing a sense of accomplishment and progress.
Also, save favorites and browse history so that you do not miss good classes

By combining these unique elements, Oseterics Yoga stands out as a comprehensive and user-friendly platform designed to support the physical and mental health of older adults through the practice of yoga.