Can Yoga Really Alter DNA?

The answer is yes, according to latest research. Now, before we go into the scientific aspect of this article, we need to talk about yoga itself. We already know that yoga and meditation have immense benefits, physically, emotionally and psychologically. Many people join the practice to become stronger and more flexible, to release their stress and become one with their body and mind. According to the “Yoga Journal”, yoga has health benefits such as improved bone health, increased blood flow, regulated blood pressure and so much more. However, recently a research study done by Coventry University, was published to Science Daily, on possibly one of the biggest health benefits that yoga has to offer: the effect yoga has on certain reactions in our DNA.
The study in question, concludes that reactions in our DNA that cause depression, anxiety and other negative health issues can, essentially, be reversed through the practice of yoga, mindfulness and meditation. In a stressful circumstance, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, which in turn, triggers the “fight or flight” response. In this situation, a molecule called nuclear factor kappa B or NF-kB binds to DNA and activates genes that code for proteins called cytokines, resulting in cellular inflammation. While this is helpful in short term, if the reaction occurs consistently – in other words – if you are frequently stressed, it can cause a higher risk of cancer, depression and other psychological illnesses.
This is where yoga comes into play. According to the study, people who practice yoga and meditation, or what they call “mind-body interventions”, actually have the reverse effect of the reaction. This means that the person would have a decreased production of NF-kB and cytokines, resulting in a reduced risk of the inflammatory diseases listed before. ‘Lead investigator Ivana Buric from the Brain, Belief and Behaviour Lab in Coventry University’s Centre for Psychology, Behaviour and Achievement says: “These activities are leaving what we call a molecular signature in our cells, which reverses the effect that stress or anxiety would have on the body by changing how our genes are expressed. Put simply, MBIs cause the brain to steer our DNA processes along a path which improves our wellbeing.”’
People always seem to dismiss how beneficial a calm practice like yoga and meditation can be, until they see real change happening to them. However, once they begin to commit to the practice and focus on improving their asanas or being one with themselves, they will see changes in their body and mind, down to a cellular level. As stress continues to eat up our lives, yoga comes as a spiritual warrior ready to stop the monsters of pressure that we face.