More Than Movement: The Many Gifts of Yoga

Yoga is good for you! If we practice yoga we are familiar with the feelings of wellbeing and relaxation along with a body that feels stronger and more flexible.

It’s easy to think of yoga in terms of the physical benefits. Becoming stronger, improving flexibility, easing stiff muscles and joints, or simply feeling a little more relaxed after class. But the benefits can reach much further than that.

Ancient yogis appear to have known what science is only just catching up with. Over the past couple of decades, researchers have become increasingly interested in understanding what actually happens in our bodies and brains when we practise yoga. And some of the findings are really interesting

Potential Health Benefits

Research has explored yoga’s potential to support people living with a variety of health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, depression, insomnia and chronic pain.

Studies have found that regular yoga practice can help improve blood sugar regulation in people with type 2 diabetes. Other research has explored its benefits for sleep, pain management and mood.

Another study discovered yoga practitioners showed an increase in brain GABA levels. GABA is  a neurotransmitter that helps calm activity in the brain and plays an important role in regulating our nervous system.  GABA is sometimes described as the brain’s natural calming messenger, and lower levels have been associated with anxiety and depression.

Yoga and Brain Health

There’s also some interesting research into yoga, meditation and brain health.

Studies have explored changes in grey matter in areas of the brain associated with memory, learning and emotional regulation. Other research has looked at how yoga and meditation may influence brain function, attention and our ability to manage stress.

And it’s not just about what happens in our brains. Researchers have also investigated the relationship between yoga and cellular health, including biological markers associated with ageing.

Research is ongoing, and yoga isn’t a replacement for medical care. But it does give us some strong reasons to appreciate the wider benefits of a regular practice.

It’s the little things that add up

I think one of the loveliest things about yoga is that we don’t have to do more and push harder to enjoy its benefits.

For me it’s never been  about mastering a complicated posture or spending hours on the mat every day. It’s about showing up consistently. Moving my body, taking a few deeper breaths, finding moments of stillness and giving myself permission to pause.

Over time, these consistent practices can become something we carry into our everyday life. We might notice that we’re a little less reactive when things get stressful, more aware of what our bodies need, or better able to find a moment of calm amidst all the noise.

Making time for yourself

As we move towards the darker winter months, consistency of showing up for our own practice can help us find small moments that are just for us.

With shorter days and longer nights, our energy and motivation can sometimes dip. It’s tempting to let our usual routines slip, but this is often when they can benefit us the most.

Rather than expecting ourselves to maintain the same pace all year round, we can adapt our practice to what we need in the moment.

It maybe a steady Hatha/Vinyasa class to build strength, stamina and energy. Maye we find time for a  little more Yin, a guided Yoga Nidra or some quiet meditation. Sometimes we need movement; sometimes we need stillness. And sometimes we need a little of both.

Keep showing up for yourself

Motivation comes and goes so the next time you’re tempted to skip your yoga practice, remember that you’re doing much more than stretching your muscles or improving your flexibility. You’re giving yourself time to move, breathe, recharge and reconnect. You’re supporting your physical and mental wellbeing and nurturing a relationship with yourself that can continue to grow over time. So if you don’t already, why not try the gift of yoga

Further reading

1. Yoga and brain GABA levels: Streeter et al. (2007), Yoga Asana Sessions Increase Brain GABA Levels: A Pilot Study. Read the published study.

2. Yoga and type 2 diabetes: Innes and Selfe (2016), Yoga for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review of Controlled Trials. Read the review.

3. Yoga and chronic health conditions: A 2025 umbrella review of 51 systematic reviews, covering 28,403 participants. Read the research.