This month we come back to some of the most important reasons we practice. For me healthspan is at the forefront of why I practice, so here are some of the ways that yoga can support healthspan (that we know so far). From the obvious (mobility, balance, fall prevention, nervous system regulation) to the less obvious (arterial & cardiovascular health, metabolic health, oxidative stress, inflammation, telomere protection, brain health, & more). With an overview of the research up to this point and some ways to harness that in your practice.

Research Links:

• What Is the Molecular Signature of Mind–Body Interventions? A Systematic Review of Gene Expression Changes Induced by Meditation and Related Practices
• Yoga and immune system functioning: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
• Stress, Inflammation, and Yoga Practice
• Effect of Yoga on Oxidative Stress in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
• Yoga Effects on Brain Health: A Systematic Review of the Current Literature
• A systematic review with meta-analysis of Yoga's contributions to neuropsychiatric aspects of aging
• Yoga Impacts Cognitive Health: Neurophysiological Changes and Stress-regulation Mechanisms
• Comparative efficacy of a 12 week yoga-based lifestyle intervention and dietary intervention on adipokines, inflammation, and oxidative stress in adults with metabolic syndrome: a randomized controlled trial
• Meditation and telomere length: a meta-analysis
• Impact of Heartfulness meditation practice on anxiety, perceived stress, well-being, and telomere length
• The effects of meditation on length of telomeres in healthy individuals: a systematic review
• The Efficacy of Stretching Exercises on Arterial Stiffness in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized and Non-Randomized Controlled Trials
• Acute Effects of Self-Myofascial Release Using a Foam Roller on Arterial Function
• Is It All About the Fascia? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Prevalence of Extramuscular Connective Tissue Lesions in Muscle Strain Injury