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Abstract
Yoga is an age-old mind-body discipline that incorporates relaxation, meditation, breathing exercises (pranayama), and physical postures (asanas). Yoga has drawn a lot of attention as a supplemental strategy for enhancing both physical and mental health in recent decades. Regular yoga practice may improve stress, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, cardiovascular risk factors, metabolic health, physical function, and general quality of life, according to scientific study. Numerous systematic reviews and meta-analyses have shown that yoga-based therapies alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms; however, the degree of certainty of the evidence differs due to variations in intervention type, length, research populations, and methodological quality. A potential function for yoga in cardiovascular and metabolic health is suggested by evidence of positive effects on blood pressure, body mass index, lipid profiles, and glycaemic indices. Numerous processes, including as autonomic nervous system regulation, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis modulation, improved emotional regulation, increased physical activity, and a decrease in physiological stress reactions, may be involved in the effects of yoga. In addition to discussing potential processes, clinical applications, limitations, and future research goals, this thorough review reviews current information regarding the therapeutic effects of yoga on physical and mental health.
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