The effect of yoga practices on health parameters: A review

Abstract

Yoga, a practice originating in India thousands of years ago, has gained immense popularity today and its effects are under scrutiny. Numerous studies demonstrate the positive impact of various types of yoga on human physiology. Specifically, research highlights the ability of yoga to mitigate stress and anxiety, as well as increase serotonin and dopamine hormones, facilitating healthy coping mechanisms in modern living. For a healthy lifestyle, yoga can be an important addition to a nutritious diet. While numerous studies have reported on the positive effects of yoga, its complete impact has yet to be fully understood. It may be recommended that the studies planned to be addressed in the future on the subject should be carried out for a specific health problem, should have a methodologically good and high quality structure and the sample size should be kept large. This review found that yoga has significant positive effects on anxiety and depression. It also increases hormones such as serotonin and dopamine in the body, which can lead to a more positive outlook. However, the review found statistically insignificant decreases in fasting blood glucose levels, postprandial blood glucose levels, and HbA1c. Additionally, yoga was found to significantly improve quality of life.