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4 Things That Happen to Your Body When You Do Yoga

In this video, learn how yoga’s benefits stretch beyond the mat.

Brittany DoohanAlexandra Schwarz, MD
Written by Brittany Doohan | Reviewed by Alexandra Schwarz, MD
Updated on September 30, 2023

While you may think of yoga as solely physical exercise (i.e., postures and breathing), the benefits go far beyond the mat. Yoga is an ancient practice developed in India that’s designed to better one’s quality of life on all levels: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. And you don’t need to be a pro yogi (male) or yogini (female) to give it a go. Here are four health benefits of yoga that should convince you to get your “om” on.

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References

American Lung Association. (2022). Breathing exercises.

Chimkode, SM, et al. Effect of yoga on blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research.

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Crowe, A. (n.d.). How yoga can help you reach your blood glucose goals. American Diabetes Association.

Ghazvineh, D. (2022). The effect of yoga on the lipid profile: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Frontiers in Nutrition.

Harvard Medical School. (2021). Yoga benefits beyond the mat.

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2023). Yoga: What you need to know.

Shantakumari, N, et al. (2013). Effects of a yoga intervention on lipid profiles of diabetes patients with dyslipidemia. Indian Heart Journal.

Veerabhadrappa, SG, et al. (2011). Effect of yogic bellows on cardiovascular autonomic reactivity. Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research.

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