Yoga is an ancient practice for health. It has endured for millennia and has served millions of people who have made yoga a part of their daily lives, fostering both health and a sense of well being.
There is more and more research based evidence that suggests the health benefits of yoga are, in fact, verifiable. Much research on the efficacy of yoga, the way it can help with a myriad of health conditions (both structural/physiological and psychological), has been shown in scientific studies over the last 20 years.
As Timothy McCall, physician and yoga therapist states: "As yoga becomes more and more mainstream, and as research dollars for alternative and completmentary health systems continue to grow, studies of yoga are getting not only better but also more numerous... In just the last few years, research has documented the efficacy of yoga for such conditions as pack pain, multiple sclerosis, insomnia, cancer, heart disease, and even tuberculosis".
Below is just a partial list of illnesses and conditions being treated through yoga that have been demonstrated in scientific studies:
Anxiety - Asthma - ADHD - Back Pain - Balance Problems - Cancer - Depression - Diabetes - Fatigue - Fibromyalgia - Hypertension - Insomnia - Menstrual Disorders - Migraine/Tension Headaches - Multiple Sclerosis - Neck Pain - OCD - Osteoporosis - Osteoarthritis - Post- Joint Replacement - Post-Operative Recovery - PTSD - Rheumatoid Arthritis - Scholiosis - Urinary Bladder Dysfunction
For an extensive list of conditions and titles to scientific research that has been done regarding yoga (compiled by Dr. McCall), click here.