YOGA

The Science of How This Helps:

Yoga has been practiced around the world for more than two thousand years, but it’s only been studied in modern medicine since the late 1990s and exponentially since 2008¹. Practicing yoga addresses the health of your mind, body, and spirit through a combination of mindfulness meditation, breathing exercises, and physical movement¹. There are many schools of yoga practice, varying widely in both their level of intensity and areas of focus.

The health benefits of yoga are as varied as its schools of practice. It can improve blood sugar control in diabetics more effectively than walking². It can reduce insomnia³ and improve symptoms of anxiety and depression in cancer patients within a year of diagnosis⁴. It can reduce the side effects of cancer treatment independent of medication, allow for earlier removal of surgical stitches and drains, and even shorten hospitalization⁵.

In North America we tend to think of yoga as an activity for young, trim women in Lululemon. Not true! Some of the greatest athletes in the history of their sport swear by the benefits of yoga, including LeBron James, Tom Brady, and Novak Djokovic⁶. And if you aren’t an athlete, no problem. Even seniors⁷ and people with advanced mobility problems⁸ can reap the benefits of yoga, with a chair as the only equipment you need. Come see how yoga can become an integral part of your wellness plan…namaste!

1.  Brain Plasticity 2019; 5; 105-122
2.  Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies 2023; 38(2): 113-122
3.  BMC Psychiatry 2020; 20: 195
4.  Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology 2022; 148: 2549-2560
5.  Supportive Care in Cancer 2017 April; 25(4): 1357-1372
6.  https://yogamoo.com/15-pro-athletes-swear-yoga/
7.  Annals of Internal Medicine 2023 April; 176(4): 524-535
8.  Healthcare (Basel) 2023 April 3; 11(7): 1024

DANCE

The Science of How This Helps:

We don’t usually think of dance as exercise, but dancing in one of the best things you can do for your health and sense of well-being. It doesn’t matter if it’s ballroom dancing with your loved one, line dancing in a crowded room, a fast-paced Zumba class, or even belly dancing. In studies of people with cancer, heart failure, Parkinson’s disease, and falls, dancing was shown to be as effective as other forms of exercise for your cardiovascular health¹. It leads to improvements in flexibility, endurance, balance, and cognition², and might even be better for weight loss¹. As good as dance can be for your body, it’s a terrific activity for your mind and your relationships. It promotes the release of endorphins¹, reduces fatigue, and improves your connection with and appreciation of your own body³. For people going through active cancer treatment, dance-based therapy can help counter your anticipated stress and pain⁴. And if you’re dancing with a group, you’ll reap the mental health benefits – like trust, interpersonal touch, and laughing – that go hand-in-hand with social interactions¹. Best of all, dance is easy to learn because you’ve done it before! Almost all of us learn to dance at a very young age, either in school or as part of a cultural tradition¹. No special equipment or training needed…just move your body and enjoy!

1. Sports Medicine 2024; 54: 1179-1205
2.  Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 2015; 21(5): 64-70
3.  Health Promotion International 2023; 38: 1-15
4. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2021              Article ID 4989282