Yoga and Menopause
According to the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana of Bangalore, India practising yoga can reduce the symptoms of hot flashes and night sweats in women going through menopause. The study conducted 120 women from 40-55 years old in menopause practised yoga 5 days a week for 8 weeks. The subjects were divided into two groups; a yoga group and a control group. Scientists prepared the research to determine whether yoga would really aid in physical and cognitive symptoms of menopause. The yoga group listened to lectures on the benefits of managing stress through yoga and other related yoga topics. The control group were given lectures on diet, stress, exercise and menopause. A follow-up after eight weeks proved that nights sweats, insomnia and hot flashes were greatly reduced among the yoga group participants. The same changes were not found in the control group. In both groups concentration levels showed improvements however, the yoga group rated higher in memory and concentration when compared to the control group. This research supports the theory that yoga relieves the signs and symptoms of menopause that causes stress to millions of women around the world and applies ago old practices for remedial help.