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Rachel V Thomas

Yoga Day 2026: Yoga May Help Conditions Ranging From Male Infertility to Arthritis, Say AIIMS Doctors

<span>Yoga</span> may offer benefits beyond flexibility and stress relief, with doctors from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, ahead of <span>International Yoga Day 2026</span>, saying that studies have shown the ancient practice could help improve outcomes in conditions ranging from unexplained male infertility to autoimmune disorders such as <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis">rheumatoid arthritis</a></span> and fibromyalgia.

This year marks the 12th International Day of Yoga, observed annually on June 21. The theme for this year, "<span>Yoga for Healthy Ageing</span>," highlights the practice's potential to enhance mobility, balance, flexibility, and mental well-being, helping people maintain health and independence at every stage of life.

<h2>Yoga And Unexplained Male Infertility</h2>

Dr. Rima Dada, Professor at the Laboratory for Molecular Reproduction and Genetics, Department of Anatomy, AIIMS Delhi, told <strong><em>HealthandMe </em></strong>that cases of unexplained male factor infertility have increased in recent decades. In many of these cases, standard sperm parameters appear normal, but sperm cells are affected by oxidative stress and DNA damage.

According to Dr. Rima, studies conducted in men with unexplained infertility found that regular yoga practice reduced oxidative stress, decreased sperm DNA damage, and normalized the expression of genes critical for early embryonic development. These benefits, however, generally require consistent practice for more than six months.

<strong>Also read:</strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/fitness/international-yoga-day-2026-10-desk-yoga-poses-that-can-undo-hours-of-sitting-article-154686168" data-type="tilCustomLink">International Yoga Day 2026: 10 Desk Yoga Poses That Can Undo Hours of Sitting</a>

Dr. Rima described yoga as an “art of living” that combines 

<ul><li>mindful asanas, </li><li>relaxation techniques, </li><li>pranayama, </li><li>meditation, </li><li>healthy nutrition, </li><li>adequate sleep. </li></ul>

According to her, such lifestyle measures may improve sperm DNA quality, motility, and overall reproductive health while potentially reducing the burden of genetic and epigenetic disorders in future generations.

Dr. Rima also highlighted the role of yoga in rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that typically affects small joints initially and may later involve larger joints as well as organs such as the lungs, heart, and brain.

She described yoga as an "art of living" that should be incorporated into daily life through mindful asanas, relaxation techniques, pranayama, meditation, a whole plant-based diet, and adequate sleep.

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/ayurveda/trying-to-quit-tobacco-yoga-could-improve-your-chances-suggests-study-article-154657175" data-type="tilCustomLink">Trying to Quit Tobacco? Yoga Could Improve Your Chances, Suggests Study</a>

She added that research has shown that yoga, including asanas, pranayama, and meditation, can help reduce inflammatory cytokines linked to swelling, pain, stiffness, and joint damage. Pranayama practices such as Anulom Vilom, Bhramari, and Ujjayi were highlighted as particularly beneficial.

For people living with rheumatoid arthritis, she recommended beginning with gentle loosening exercises under the supervision of a trained yoga therapist and avoiding strenuous postures during acute flare-ups. Pranayama and meditation, she said, may help reduce inflammation, improve emotional resilience, and support longer periods of remission.

India Gave Yoga to the World… What's the Next Global Yoga Movement? #shorts  #shortsfeeds

Dr. Uma Kumar, Head of the Department of Rheumatology at AIIMS New Delhi, explained that autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues and organs.

Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren’s syndrome, myositis, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, and IgG4-related disease can significantly affect quality of life, often leading to pain, fatigue, depression, sleep disturbances, and reduced mobility.

“All these components are improved by yoga,” Dr. Kumar said.

However, she stressed that yoga should be viewed as an adjunct to medical treatment rather than a replacement. According to her, yoga may complement conventional therapies by improving sleep, flexibility, mental well-being, lifestyle habits, and overall quality of life.

<strong>You May Want To Read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/natural-origin-or-lab-leak-gabbard-reignites-covid-origins-debate-claims-fauci-funded-wuhan-lab-research-article-154683911" data-type="tilCustomLink">Natural Origin or Lab Leak? Gabbard Reignites COVID Origins Debate, Claims Fauci Funded Wuhan Lab Research</a>

 <h2>Yoga's Benefits For Fibromyalgia</h2>

Dr. Renu Bhatia, Additional Professor in the Department of Physiology at AIIMS Delhi, said supervised yoga therapy may help improve physical activity, sleep quality, muscle blood flow, pain levels, and flexibility in people with fibromyalgia.

The experts described fibromyalgia as a condition characterized by widespread pain despite normal laboratory findings and the absence of obvious inflammation.

Dr. Renu noted that studies have shown six weeks of supervised yoga intervention can reduce tender points while improving sensory symptoms, brain function, and neural excitability. However, she cautioned that yoga should be practiced under supervision, as excessive joint movement may aggravate symptoms in some patients.

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yoga for healthy ageing

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Yoga For Fibromyalgia

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Yoga may offer benefits beyond flexibility and stress relief, with doctors from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, ahead of International Yoga Day 2026, saying that studies have shown the ancient practice could help improve outcomes in conditions ranging from unexplained male infertility to autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.This year marks the 12th International Day of Yoga, observed annually on June 21. The theme for this year, "Yoga for Healthy Ageing," highlights the practice's potential to enhance mobility, balance, flexibility, and mental well-being, helping people maintain health and independence at every stage of life.Yoga And Unexplained Male InfertilityDr. Rima Dada, Professor at the Laboratory for Molecular Reproduction and Genetics, Department of Anatomy, AIIMS Delhi, told HealthandMe that cases of unexplained male factor infertility have increased in recent decades. In many of these cases, standard sperm parameters appear normal, but sperm cells are affected by oxidative stress and DNA damage.According to Dr. Rima, studies conducted in men with unexplained infertility found that regular yoga practice reduced oxidative stress, decreased sperm DNA damage, and normalized the expression of genes critical for early embryonic development. These benefits, however, generally require consistent practice for more than six months.Also read:International Yoga Day 2026: 10 Desk Yoga Poses That Can Undo Hours of SittingDr. Rima described yoga as an “art of living” that combines mindful asanas, relaxation techniques, pranayama, meditation, healthy nutrition, adequate sleep. According to her, such lifestyle measures may improve sperm DNA quality, motility, and overall reproductive health while potentially reducing the burden of genetic and epigenetic disorders in future generations.Yoga And Rheumatoid ArthritisDr. Rima also highlighted the role of yoga in rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that typically affects small joints initially and may later involve larger joints as well as organs such as the lungs, heart, and brain.She described yoga as an "art of living" that should be incorporated into daily life through mindful asanas, relaxation techniques, pranayama, meditation, a whole plant-based diet, and adequate sleep.Read More: Trying to Quit Tobacco? Yoga Could Improve Your Chances, Suggests StudyShe added that research has shown that yoga, including asanas, pranayama, and meditation, can help reduce inflammatory cytokines linked to swelling, pain, stiffness, and joint damage. Pranayama practices such as Anulom Vilom, Bhramari, and Ujjayi were highlighted as particularly beneficial.For people living with rheumatoid arthritis, she recommended beginning with gentle loosening exercises under the supervision of a trained yoga therapist and avoiding strenuous postures during acute flare-ups. Pranayama and meditation, she said, may help reduce inflammation, improve emotional resilience, and support longer periods of remission.Yoga As An Adjunct Therapy      Dr. Uma Kumar, Head of the Department of Rheumatology at AIIMS New Delhi, explained that autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues and organs.Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren’s syndrome, myositis, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, and IgG4-related disease can significantly affect quality of life, often leading to pain, fatigue, depression, sleep disturbances, and reduced mobility.“All these components are improved by yoga,” Dr. Kumar said.However, she stressed that yoga should be viewed as an adjunct to medical treatment rather than a replacement. According to her, yoga may complement conventional therapies by improving sleep, flexibility, mental well-being, lifestyle habits, and overall quality of life.You May Want To Read: Natural Origin or Lab Leak? Gabbard Reignites COVID Origins Debate, Claims Fauci Funded Wuhan Lab Research Yoga's Benefits For FibromyalgiaDr. Renu Bhatia, Additional Professor in the Department of Physiology at AIIMS Delhi, said supervised yoga therapy may help improve physical activity, sleep quality, muscle blood flow, pain levels, and flexibility in people with fibromyalgia.The experts described fibromyalgia as a condition characterized by widespread pain despite normal laboratory findings and the absence of obvious inflammation.Dr. Renu noted that studies have shown six weeks of supervised yoga intervention can reduce tender points while improving sensory symptoms, brain function, and neural excitability. However, she cautioned that yoga should be practiced under supervision, as excessive joint movement may aggravate symptoms in some patients.

international yoga day 2026: yoga may help conditions ranging from male infertility to arthritis, say aiims doctors

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