Veggie Blog

The original version of this post was called “Cure thanks to Yoga,” and it claimed that there are numerous documented cases of yoga relieving or curing serious illnesses such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, asthma and emphysema. I could not find reliable evidence for those cure claims, and they could lead someone to delay real treatment, so I have removed them. This rewrite looks at what yoga can do and where athletes and doctors actually use it.

Can yoga cure disease?

No. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says that research suggests yoga may help relieve stress, neck pain, headaches and pain from knee osteoarthritis, and may have a small benefit for low back pain. It may also help people manage anxiety or depression symptoms, relieve menopause symptoms and help with weight loss for people who are overweight. Notice the word “may” in every case. For Parkinson’s disease, NCCIH reports that a 2022 review of 14 studies with 444 people suggests yoga may help mobility, balance and quality of life in mild-to-moderate disease. For asthma, our post on yoga breathing and asthma explains why people should keep taking their medicine. Yoga is a helpful addition for some conditions, not a cure.

Why do some doctors recommend yoga?

The old post said some doctors prescribe yoga for a range of ailments. It would be more accurate to say that some doctors recommend it as part of a broader plan, usually because it is gentle, can be adapted to different abilities and helps with stress and mobility. NCCIH notes that people with chronic conditions may find that yoga helps them manage symptoms and improve quality of life. A doctor can tell you whether a specific type of yoga is suitable for your condition, and many conditions call for changes. NCCIH lists lumbar spine disease, severe high blood pressure, glaucoma, balance problems and some injuries as examples.

Is chronic stress the cause of many illnesses?

The original text said that one school of belief holds that chronic and accumulated stress is the reason for many modern illnesses, and that yoga treats the cause rather than the symptoms. Part of this is reasonable. NCCIH says that long-term stress may contribute to digestive disorders, headaches and sleep disorders, may worsen asthma, and has been linked to depression and anxiety. But stress is not the cause of every disease, and it is wrong to say that yoga alone fixes the cause of serious illnesses such as multiple sclerosis or heart disease. Managing stress is one useful piece of staying well.

How do athletes use yoga?

The old post described a yoga teacher who worked with a rugby team, and it said that athletes use yoga to relax between training sessions and to prepare their minds for big events. That use is plausible: many athletes add yoga for flexibility, balance and relaxation. I could not find research proving that yoga gives athletes a competitive edge, so treat that claim as an opinion. What can be said is that yoga is not aerobic exercise. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend 150 to 300 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week, and most forms of yoga only count partly toward that. Active styles such as vinyasa or power yoga count as moderate-intensity activity. Athletes usually combine it with their main training. Our post on yoga for tennis players shows how this works for one sport.

How can you start safely?

If you have a health condition, talk to your doctor first and tell your yoga teacher about it. NCCIH says yoga is generally safe when done properly under the guidance of a qualified instructor, and that the most common injuries are sprains and strains. Avoid extreme practices such as headstands and forceful breathing as a beginner. Learn the basics in what yoga is and the basic yoga postures and their variations, keep your regular medical care, and treat yoga as a good habit rather than a cure.