Yoga with its centuries-old roots is widely praised for its health benefits. But could it also be the secret to a long life? Centenarian Daisy Taylor of Chelmsford, England, believes so. On her 105th birthday, Taylor credited her enduring physical and mental health to yoga, optimism, and cherishing life’s simple joys. Remarkably, Taylor still practices yoga, though now more often from a chair than a mat.
Her story echoes those of other notable yoga practitioners, like B.K.S. Iyengar, who lived to 95 despite severe childhood illnesses, and Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, the founder of vinyasa yoga, who reached 100. These anecdotes suggest a connection between yoga and longevity but what does science say?
Yoga’s Role in Ageing and Longevity
Physical and Mental Health Benefits
Yoga has proven benefits for both body and mind. Research shows it can:
- Reduce risk factors for age-related diseases like high blood pressure, obesity, and depression.
- Alleviate stress and anxiety, promoting overall well-being.
- Encourage healthier lifestyle choices, such as better nutrition and sleep habits.
Studies also indicate yoga might influence aging at a cellular level. One study revealed that yoga practitioners experienced a 43% increase in telomerase activity, an enzyme linked to slower cellular aging. By contrast, participants who only practiced relaxation techniques saw just a 4% increase.
Yoga may also impact brain health. Research has found that long-term yoga practitioners generally have larger brain mass, particularly in the hippocampus, which is vital for memory and learning. In fact, middle-aged yogis often exhibit brain health comparable to people two decades younger.
Fluid Intelligence
Yoga and meditation have also been linked to improved fluid intelligence the ability to solve new problems and learn unfamiliar concepts. Middle-aged yoga practitioners often perform better in these areas compared to non-practitioners.
The Longevity Question
While yoga clearly promotes physical and mental health, does it actually extend lifespan? A study using data from the National Death Index and the National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey explored this. Among the 22,598 participants, those who practiced yoga appeared to have a two-thirds lower risk of death within eight years.
However, this advantage disappeared when researchers accounted for age yogis were generally younger than the non-yoga group. Thus, while yoga doesn’t directly prolong life, it significantly enhances quality of life as we age.
For Daisy Taylor, yoga might not be the sole reason for her longevity her siblings, all over 90, suggest a genetic predisposition. However, yoga has undeniably helped her maintain mental sharpness and vitality.
While the evidence doesn’t definitively link yoga to a longer life, its benefits for physical health, mental acuity, and stress reduction are well-documented. For many, yoga offers not just a way to age gracefully but also a way to embrace life’s later years with strength and resilience.
As Taylor’s story reminds us, perhaps yoga’s greatest gift isn’t adding years to life but adding life to years.