The Importance of Yoga on Women’s Mental Health & Wellbeing by Padmini Murthy MD, MPH, FRSPH, FAMWA

The Importance of Yoga on Women’s Mental Health & Wellbeing

by Padmini Murthy MD, MPH, FRSPH, FAMWA

According to the World health Organization (WHO),

“Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.

The health of all peoples is fundamental to the attainment of peace and security and is dependent on the fullest co-operation of individuals and States.”

Yoga is a form of exercise which includes physical activity consisting mainly of various postures (asanas) and breathing exercises, followed by relaxation and meditation. Today, it is practiced globally. Turning to the health benefits of yoga, studies demonstrate that, overall, yoga’s gains to health and wellbeing for women are multifold.

Various stretching practices in yoga accompanied with deep breathing and meditation show strengthened muscles and an increase in the flexibility of one’s joints and spine.

The various physical and mental health benefits of yoga occur due to the regulation of the secretion of hormones (cortisol, glucose, plasma s renin, epinephrine and norepinephrine) into the bloodstream which are responsible for one’s bodily functions. The routine practice of yoga lessens the negative effects of induced stress to the immune system by positively regulating one’s body’s adjustment of immunoglobulin A.

Studies in India have shown positive impacts of yoga exercise on women who experienced Premenstrual Menstrual Syndrome which can be debilitating. The practice of yoga minimized pain and decreased the heart rate, blood pressure and anxiety associated with PMS.

and diminished depression. A low intensity yoga routine in high-risk pregnant women can improve cardiovascular health and decrease the risks of pregnancy induced hypertension and gestational diabetes. This is important because lowering these risks improves the health of both mother and child.

In addition, establishing a yoga practice is found to be effective in reducing the troubling symptoms of hot flashes and mood swings which millions of peri menopausal women experience. They are often incapacitated and find it challenging to go about their normal routine.

The benefits associated with consistently performed yoga can be seen throughout the life cycle of women. Research has shown that engaging in yoga practices habitually can delay the onset of the cognitive impairment which is one of the early indicators of the onset Alzheimer’s (dementia). (It should be noted that women globally are more prone to Alzheimer’s than men)

Furthermore, researchers have found that yoga is as effective as standard physical therapy for treating moderate to severe chronic low back pain in women in underserved communities.

In summing up, the key benefits of engaging in the practice of yoga for women include:

1. Improved cardiovascular health;

2. Lessened anxiety levels;

3. Lowered stress levels;

4. Reduced pregnancy induced complications of hypertension, gestational diabetes;

5. Decreased premenstrual and perimenopausal symptoms;

6. Delays in the onset of Alzheimer’s;

7. Diminished musculo skeletal pain (especially back pain);

8. Brings down anxiety and pain during breast cancer treatment.

It is fundamental that implementing consistent yoga practice into one’s daily life and into the lives of women and girls provides important benefits to physical and mental health. Going further, by having governments acknowledge the positive gains of yoga for women and girls, they contribute to creating healthier societies. At the same time, an effective strategy for achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (#3-Good Health & Wellbeing and #5-Gener Equality) could start with integrating the practice of yoga in school curricula and in daily exercise routines worldwide. This can be done in person, through online instruction or by using other forms of technology.

Padmini Murthy, MD, MPH, FRSPH, FAMWA is a Professor at New York Medical College and is the American Medical Women’s Association Global Health Lead and NGO representative to the United Nations