Is it easy to go to a yoga class and think: isn’t that just stretching? Well, a new study published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology looked at just that – and the answer is no. In fact, this new research shows that yoga types not only have other benefits, it has additional benefits that stretching alone doesn’t have.
Difference Between Yoga & Stretching
The three-month study was conducted on a group of 60 participants with existing hypertension and metabolic syndrome. The researchers divided the participants into two groups, with each group doing 30 minutes of aerobic exercise five times a week. One group then did 15 minutes of structured yoga, while the other group also did structured stretching.
Researchers collected data on the participants’ health and monitored markers such as blood pressure, body size and shape, C-reactive protein (a common marker of inflammation), glucose and lipid levels, and overall cardiovascular risk.
After three months, the data collected showed that both groups had reduced resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate. Systolic blood pressure, however, decreased by 10 mmHg in the yoga group but only by 4 mmHg in the stretching group. The yoga method also reduces resting heart rate and 10-year cardiovascular risk, which measures the risk of heart attack before age 60.
Interpreting the Results
Not stretching (which is a key part of a healthy recovery routine), but there appear to be additional benefits of yoga that researchers plan to study in the future. These may have to do with the fact that yoga focuses on breathing and the mind-body connection, which distinguishes it from stretching. As Dr. Paul Poirier, Ph.D., Ph.D., who led the study, explained in a press release, “Our study shows that structured yoga exercises can be a healthier complement to aerobic exercise than simple muscle stretching”.
Everyone’s ideal exercise programme will be slightly different. But if you’re a busy person who wants to get the most benefit in the shortest amount of time, turning on a 15-minute yoga video may be more effective than a 15-minute stretch (especially if you’re looking for a little relaxation and stress relief).
If you’re looking for even more inspiration to get on the mat, know that yoga has been proven to be beneficial for cardiovascular health, as well as bone and joint health, which are key to staying limber and active throughout your life.
To support mobility and healthy bones and joints, you can start with this 15-minute yoga pose – the same duration as the yoga practice in the study. Combine this with other habits that support mobility, such as eating good quality protein and healthy fats, and taking supplements to support joint health and prevent mobility-sabotaging inflammation. Here’s a list of solid options to get you started.
The Lesson
Whether it’s flexibility, mobility, stress relief or self-esteem, we’ve all heard about the many (many!) benefits of yoga. Yet, many of us haven’t rolled out the mat for the first time or committed to a regular practice. This new study gives us another good reason to incorporate yoga into our well-being routine in the year ahead.