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Favoured by celebs, yoga now wins over scientists: The Hindustan Times
London, June 24: With celebrities like pop queen Madonna taking to yoga for reducing stress and attaining peace of mind, it was slated to become the lifestyle statement in vogue, something to discuss at high society dos and while crossing the Atlantic flying Concorde.
London, June 24: With celebrities like pop queen Madonna taking to yoga for reducing stress and attaining peace of mind, it was slated to become the lifestyle statement in vogue, something to discuss at high society dos and while crossing the Atlantic flying Concorde.
The High Street stores realised the upmarket "mobility" of yoga and came out with dresses claiming they were specially designed for the "yoga-ites".
Now, scientists have found new evidence of the benefits of yoga. They have discovered that yoga is among the most fashionable of health fads with a devoted following of 400,000 in Britain alone.
India has known of the benefits of yoga for ages. But, now researchers in the west confirm that the physical and mental exercise and relaxation regime prescribed by yoga helps reduce the hormone cortisol that is known to suppress the immune system, constrict blood vessels and interfere with energy supply to brain cells involved in memory.
Researchers at an institute measured levels of cortisol in the blood of 16 healthy yoga novices before and after a 50-minute rest. They then measured the levels before and after 50-minute yoga session. Participants then practised yoga for another five days and had their cortisol levels tested before and after seventh session. The research team found that levels decreased more after a session of yoga than after the rest period, even on the first day of practice.
More spice to yoga was added by the revelation that Geri Halliwell transformed her physique with the help of yoga and has produced her own yoga videos. Her "wonderfully wow" physique will now cause a rush in women world over to take to yoga, said a manger of an internationally known gym. "It is another gift from the ancient India to us," he said. Quite!
Now, scientists have found new evidence of the benefits of yoga. They have discovered that yoga is among the most fashionable of health fads with a devoted following of 400,000 in Britain alone.
India has known of the benefits of yoga for ages. But, now researchers in the west confirm that the physical and mental exercise and relaxation regime prescribed by yoga helps reduce the hormone cortisol that is known to suppress the immune system, constrict blood vessels and interfere with energy supply to brain cells involved in memory.
Researchers at an institute measured levels of cortisol in the blood of 16 healthy yoga novices before and after a 50-minute rest. They then measured the levels before and after 50-minute yoga session. Participants then practised yoga for another five days and had their cortisol levels tested before and after seventh session. The research team found that levels decreased more after a session of yoga than after the rest period, even on the first day of practice.
More spice to yoga was added by the revelation that Geri Halliwell transformed her physique with the help of yoga and has produced her own yoga videos. Her "wonderfully wow" physique will now cause a rush in women world over to take to yoga, said a manger of an internationally known gym. "It is another gift from the ancient India to us," he said. Quite!