Just doing yoga to stay healthy? Study says it may not be enough

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Published: October 21, 2025 07:30 PM IST

If you depend only on yoga for your health, you may be in the dark. Instead, the study sheds light on what the best approach is.

Are you doing yoga as your only form of exercise? According to a study published in the journal Advances in Integrative Medicine, although it has great benefits for flexibility and mindfulness, it is still not enough to stay fit. Although this is not diminishing the benefits of yoga, it does change the narrative that yoga may not be enough to support overall health.

Yoga is good for flexibility, but it may not be enough to maintain good health. (Image courtesy: Shutterstock)

Also read: Trikonasana to Balasana: 6 Gentle Yoga Poses for Athletes to Help Them Recover

Is yoga not enough?

Good heart health is one of the key pillars of happiness. Now, for heart health, the flexibility of blood vessels is important, which prevents heart disease, high blood pressure and clotting problems. Furthermore, the efficiency of blood vessels is fundamental to the functioning of the entire body as they carry blood and oxygen to various parts and organs.

Researchers examined the cardiovascular value of yoga and compared it to other exercises such as Pilates, Tai Chi and high intensity interval training. According to the study’s findings, traditional exercises are relatively more reliable for increasing artery elasticity. The results on the cardiovascular benefits of yoga are more or less inconsistent. This works more for older adults rather than younger populations.

HIIT exercises like burpees, mountain climbers and squat jumps increase the heart rate, which helps improve artery flexibility.
HIIT exercises like burpees, mountain climbers and squat jumps increase the heart rate, which helps improve artery flexibility.

Combine yoga with vigorous exercise

Yoga is widely celebrated due to its traditional history and is deeply rooted in the culture. This is especially helpful for older adults who may not be able to participate in strenuous activities or high-intensity exercises. Despite yoga being gentle, researchers advocate yoga because, at the end of the day, movement is movement, which is much better than remaining sedentary. The researchers instead urged a balanced approach where yoga is included as a part of a comprehensive workout routine rather than the sole exercise done in a day.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.

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Get your daily dose of fashion, Taylor Swift, health, festivals, travel, relationships, recipes and all other latest lifestyle news on Hindustan Times website and apps.

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