Although yoga is thought to have been practised for over 5,000 years, its myriad benefits for our health and wellbeing are still being uncovered. Professor Rima Dada from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi reveals the extraordinary findings into the benefits of yoga - how half an hour a day can slow down ageing at a cellular level by protecting your mitochondria and your DNA. It can also improve your brain health and even reduce symptoms of depression. Just a few sessions are enough for our volunteer James to catch the yoga bug! Series Producer: Nija Dalal-Small Editor: Zoë Heron A BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds / BBC Radio 4.
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BBC sounds music radio podcasts time for Shavasana.
We would all like some quick and simple ways to improve our health, but we're inundated with often conflicting advice.
So if you're going to try just one thing to improve your mental and physical well being, what should it be?
Maybe playing a musical instrument to boost your brain power?
Or a spoonful of olive oil to help your heart?
How about doing some volunteering to improve your immune system?
I'm Doctor Michael Moseley, and this is just one thing where each episode we'll explore one thing you can start doing today to improve your health or life in ways you might not expect.
Now I'm on the floor in my living room having a nice lie down, breathing in and out.
It's all part of an exercise session that might look gentle and restorative, but there is evidence this routine can boost the brain and reduce levels of the stress or bone cordial.
I'm doing yoga, and this pose, which involves lying on the floor and breathing deeply, is called shavasana.
Yoga is an ancient practice for the body and mind that can boost strength and flexibility.
There are many types of yoga practices, but generally it involves physical poses, breath control and meditation.
Doing it regularly has been shown to lower chronic inflammation, which could help reduce depression and anxiety.
And some exciting new research suggests it could even benefit you at the cellular level.