Can yoga ease pressure on the NHS

Yoga could ease pressure on the NHS according to Prince Charles who sent a statement of support to the Yoga in Healthcare conference in London.

The Royal Seal of Approval coincides with the opening of Upward Frog Yoga on Chestergate in Stockport.

Prince Charles’ letter is a very good summary of the benefits of yoga on health and wellbeing but also raises an important point about how yoga can help to ease pressure on the NHS.

The Prince of Wales, who has long advocated alternative medicines and therapies, suggested that more people taking yoga classes could help NHS resources because of yoga’s ‘proven beneficial effects on both body and mind’.

For thousands of years, millions of people have experienced yoga’s ability to improve their lives. The development of therapeutic yoga is, I believe, an excellent example of how yoga can contribute to health and healing.

The NHS website already states that yoga is ‘beneficial for people with high blood pressure, heart disease, aches and pains – including lower back pain – depression and stress’.

The Prince also said that classes have ‘tremendous social benefits’ and helped build ‘discipline, self-reliance and self-care’.

Julian Guest, owner of Stockport’s Upward Frog Yoga studio, wholeheartedly agrees with Prince Charles comments:

Certain poses and practices can also boost your immunity, rev up your brainpower, and lubricate your joints to support your physical and mental health

• Yoga promotes good digestion, drains your lymph glands and boosts your immune system
• Studies have linked mindfulness and meditation to significant increases in grey matter and reduced stress and anxiety
• Many yoga poses are weight bearing which helps to strengthen our bones and as we move our joints, we introduce fresh fluids into our cartilage – this can be helpful for painful conditions such as arthritis

Plus, there are so many other known benefits to the body and mind, including lowering blood pressure, decreasing the stress hormone cortisol, helping to improve your circulation, promoting better sleep patterns and generally helping you to relax, focus and balance.

You can also find out more about yoga and health on the NHS website 

Article provided by Upward Frog Yoga, Stockport.