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THE THIRD METRIC
HUFFINGTON 01.12.14
rather than flow or sequences — can improve cognitive function, boosting focus and working memory. In a University of Illinois study, participants performed significantly better on tests of brain functioning after yoga, as compared to their performance after 20 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise. LOWER STRESS LEVELS. Yoga’s stress-busting powers may come from its ability to lessen the activity of proteins that are known to play a role in inflammation, according to a 2012 study from University of California, Los Angeles, researchers.
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ALTER GENE EXPRESSION. A small Norwegian study suggested that yoga’s many healthy benefits might come from its ability to alter gene expression in immune cells. AFTER A FEW MONTHS LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE. People with mild to moderate hypertension might benefit from a yoga practice, as a University of Pennsylvania study found that it could help to lower their blood pressure levels. Researchers found that people who practiced yoga had greater drops in blood pres-
Researchers at West Virginia University found Iyengar Yoga to be more effective in reducing pain and improving mood than standard medical treatment among those with chronic lower back problems.” sure compared with those who participated in a walking/nutrition/weight counseling program. IMPROVED LUNG CAPACITY. A small 2000 Ball State University study found that practicing Hatha yoga for 15 weeks could significantly increase vital lung capacity, which is the maximum amount of air exhaled after taking a deep breath. Vital lung capacity is one of the components of lung capacity.