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Health

The Mind and Body Benefits of Yoga That Are Backed by Science

More than 50 million Americans practice some form of yoga. But can it actually improve your health?

By Sarah WattsDec 14, 2020 2:00 PM
Group yoga
(Credit: fizkes/Shutterstock)

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If you've ever been interested in trying yoga, you're in good company. Once a fringe practice that came to the U.S. in the early 1960s, yoga has skyrocketed in popularity. The practice currently has an estimated 55 million devotees in the U.S. alone, according to the Statista Research Department.

Yogis often attest to the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of a regular yoga practice. But what’s actually happening in the body and mind? Turns out, scientific research supports the notion that this spiritual practice can be good for your physical and mental health in various ways. 

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