My love affair with yoga began years ago, in my 20’s, and like any young love affair that stays the course, it has changed, expanded and matured. Today, it is difficult to recall a time in my life when I didn’t practice yoga—or when my practice was solely ‘on the mat.’ But like many beginners, my attraction to yoga at that time was physical, a way to tone my body, reduce stress and lower risk factors for disease.
It was only after years of practice and continually ‘showing up’ on the mat, that I began, organically, to experience the ‘other’ amazing aspects of yoga, and make the ‘off-the-mat’ connection that’s hopefully helped shape me into a more tolerant, patient, appreciative person.
For me there’s no greater reminder of the immense benefits of yoga—physically, emotionally and spiritually—than the holiday season. Always, whether in a class or on my own, the grounding, centering and breathing that is yoga, brings me back to gratitude. And as we gather around the holidays with close family and friends, that warm feeling of oneness is similar to that which I experience in my yoga practice.
Yoga is a gift for physical and mental health. Studies have confirmed this but it wasn’t until recently that we completely understood why. New research from the University of Oslo has determined that yoga can have an almost immediate impact on gene expression, particularly in immune cells. From previous research we know that yoga is linked to not only lower stress levels, but also bone health, reduced back pain, relief from depression, and lower risk factors for heart disease, among other health benefits. The small Norwegian study published this year found genetic evidence of yoga’s impact on the immune system. In the study, researchers examined 10 participants who underwent a weeklong yoga retreat where they did meditation, yogic postures and yogic breathing exercises. Examining the participants’ blood before and after four one-hour yoga sessions showed that the yoga practice changed the expression of 111 genes in circulating immune cells. In contrast, music and walking-based relaxation changed the expression of 38 genes.
“There are rapid (within two hours of start of practice) and significant gene expression changes…during a comprehensive yoga program,” the research team writes in the study. “These data suggest that previously reported effects of yoga practices have an integral physiological component at the molecular level which is initiated immediately during practice and may form the basis for the long-term stable effects.”
The results suggest that yoga may be as effective, or even more so, than traditional exercise in inducing health benefits through changes on the gene expression.
So, as the holiday-shopping frenzy — and confusion on what to give your loved ones — intensifies, consider the gift of yoga to others and to yourself, and watch the amazing and promising changes. As part of my own yoga practice, I include Calm Mind, an essence blend of Peppermint, Lavender, Cajeput and Marjoram that helps soothe the mind and is the perfect start or end to your practice. After a physical class, I also do a Mineral Wellness Soak, featuring solar-dried and hand-harvested 98.7% pure salts, rich in 60 essential minerals and trace elements, to ease any muscle or joint tension, and follow it with organic Ginger Bath & Body Oil (great for boosting the immune system and protecting against colds). Enjoy this beautiful wellness and gratitude ritual this season.
Love,
Charlene
