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Yoga: A Complementary Medicine with Unexpected Benefits

Yoga Class
Yoga Class

I have often wondered how beneficial complementary health treatments and alternative medicines really are. Are they are worth learning more about? How they can improve the health of everyday people like you and me? Perhaps you have thought about similar things. Yoga, a 5000 year-old Indian tradition, is classified as a complementary health approach with both research-backed and anecdotal reports of health benefits that are worth further exploration. Yoga is essentially a holistic practice designed to unite the mind, body, and spirit through a combination of body postures, breathing techniques, and meditation. You might be surprised at how easily this practice can be adapted and how many health benefits are awaiting you if you do.

Common Yoga Vocabulary: A Great Place to Start

Hannah Moran of Inner Fire Yoga does a great job of explaining what some of the most common Yoga terms mean. As Hannah points out in her blog post (2024) it's important to know what the most frequently used words are so you can understand what your teacher is saying. Understanding the language is not merely a good cognitive exercise, it's important so you know how to follow the directions of your instructor too. Unless you're part of a first-time student class, the teachers most likely won't take the time to explain the terms during an actual class. Hannah reviews 10 common words of this language, lets take a look at a few today.

  1. Asana- the poses or postures involved with yoga. Sources report a wide variety of posses but vary in number. Many resources discuss 84 main postures.

  2. Vinyasa- movement between poses that usually involves regulated breathing. Often described as "flow."

  3. Namaste- a sign of respect meaning "I bow to you." Can indicate a simple greeting, appreciation for the teacher, or a sense of connection between individuals.

  4. Mantra - a word or a sound repeated to aid with concentration in meditations. Common examples are "Aum" and "Om."


Health Benefits of Yoga

Research has shown many potential health benefits of yoga but it is important to note that yoga is not a replacement for other treatments such as medication, therapy, or spiritual care. That being said, a regular yoga habit can greatly enhance our health and well-being. Consider several of these ways yoga can benefit our bodies.

  1. Stress Reduction and Physiologic (Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, & Breathing) Regulation

  2. Overall Mental Health and Mood Support (Decreased Depression & Anxiety)

  3. Cognitive and Academic Functioning (Better Thinking)

  4. Physical Health Benefits (Strength, Balance & Flexibility)

  5. Quality of Life and Overall Well-being (Sense of Connection, Mind-Body Integration)

Where Can You Join a Yoga Class?

We actually have several options when deciding to join a yoga class. There are scheduled small-group classes available at local gyms and community centers. We also have the option of purchasing access to a live-streaming yoga session in the comfort of your own home. If any barriers exist that may get in the way of an individual from participating, other options also exist. If finance is a concern, there are many completely free videos posted online which are easy to access. And for older adults or anyone with a disability, accessibility options are also available. The experts say that a style of yoga exists for every BODY, even if it occurs in a chair.


Conclusion

Yoga is a complementary therapy that has the potential to greatly enhance our lives. Health benefits have been seen in many areas including our thinking abilities, movement, mental and emotional health, and spirituality. While it does have a unique language, we only need to learn a few new words to understand what the instructors are communicating. And it's easy to find a class to join whether in person, live online, or in a recorded session. If you've been thinking about adding yoga to your life, be sure to sign up for a class or logon online and try it out today!


References

  • Bharatha, A., Sangishetti, V. P., Bhuvanagiri, L., Syamala, N. S., Moharir, G., & Gupta, S. (2025). Yoga for mtress Management: Psychophysiological mechanisms, Evidence, and Clinical Implications. South East Asia Journal of Public Health, 1-6.

  • Kumawat, J., & Metri, K. G. (2025). Research on yoga for stress management: Bibliometric trends from 2000 to 2024. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 16(4), 101163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaim.2025.101163

  • Padmavathi, R., Kumar, A. P., Dhamodhini K S, Venugopal, V., Silambanan, S., K, M., & Shah, P. (2023). Role of yoga in stress management and implications in major depression disorder. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 14(5), 100767. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaim.2023.100767

  • Rathore, V. (2023). A scientific exploration of stress management techniques in Patanjali Yog Sutra. Yoga Mimamsa, 55(2), 114-118.

  • Schleinzer, A., Moosburner, A., Anheyer, D., Burgahn, L., & Cramer, H. (2024). Effects of yoga on stress in stressed adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15, 1437902. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1437902

  • Sudhan, P., & Parveen, S. J. (2024). Effect of brain yoga practice in the university academic students: Optimizing quality of life and stress management. Educational Administration: Theory and Practice, 30(3), 458-466.

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