The findings from a couple of new studies have just been released fairly recently, looking at how yoga benefits mental health and the immune system during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Specifically, two studies looked at the positive impact of yoga on the immune system and mental health of older adults in various settings – including home exercise and residential care organised activities.
The first looks at how strengthening the immune system is a valuable tool in reducing the risk of infection from COVID-19 and notes that “While the aging process can weaken the immune system, physical activity may boost it”.
The review intended to examine the interaction between the changes in the immune system during aging and the development of a COVID-19 infection, focusing on pathophysiological factors, and to evaluate whether regular physical activity – including yoga – can strengthen the immune system in older adults.
The review considered how, during the COVID-19 pandemic, older people can stay active by practicing activities like, yoga or walking and looked at how many have turned to online or virtual yoga. They concluded that “In general, due to the positive role of regular exercise training on the immune system of the older adults as well as the involvement of the immune system in COVID-19, it’s necessary to guide and implement home-based exercises for older adults.” In other words, offering yoga via the online medium, or teaching in a residential home setting, is desirable in supporting the elderly maintain a healthy immune system.
Another study published this week, conducted a feasibility study of gentle yoga among elders in assisted and independent living, and collected data on feasibility (adherence, retention, safety), pain, anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and physical function.
They concluded that “No adverse events resulted in study withdrawal. Participants reported being somewhat likely to recommend yoga to a friend, and quite a bit likely to do yoga again. At the end of the intervention, four of twenty participants reported practicing yoga outside of class. Anxiety significantly decreased from 5.80 (SE=0.90) to 4.44 (SE=0.74) (p = 0.014), but there were no changes in other measures.
Our pilot 10-week yoga study was generally safe for and suitable to assisted and independent living elderly adults“. We’re delighted to see further supporting evidence for the benefits of yoga for anxiety and are pleased to say that our most popular yoga therapy training courses for anxiety and mental health are now available on demand.
Both studies can be accessed here
