On International Yoga Day this year, we celebrate the synergistic relationship between yoga and turmeric. Yogis have included turmeric in their diets since time immemorial as it aids in recovery, flexibility, and overall health. It also promotes inner peace, lending itself to the spiritual aspect of yoga. Many of turmeric’s benefits come from its curcumin content. Mt. Meru’s Lakagong Turmeric has a high curcumin content - higher than any other turmeric. Yoga is also close to our hearts at Mt. Meru Medicines - join us as we discuss how it all comes together.

How Does Turmeric Improve Yoga Performance?

Turmeric provides a wide variety of benefits to the body. Many of these benefits lend themselves to a productive yoga practice, which is why turmeric and yoga masters have worked together for centuries.

Anti-Inflammatory for Recovery:

Curcumin - turmeric’s active ingredient - has powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Inflammation sends blood flow to an area, typically to help heal an injury or infection. It’s an important bodily function, but only in the short term. Long-term inflammation leads to chronic health concerns, like heart disease and dementia.

Exercise can also lead to increased levels of inflammatory mediators, which in turn increases the risk of chronic inflammation. For yogis, turmeric can help lower exercise-induced inflammation. It helps prevent inflammation in the joints, which keeps yogis feeling good throughout their practice. It can also keep inflammation low for overall longevity.

Iron and Manganese for Bones and Joints:

A one-tablespoon serving of turmeric contains 26% of your daily manganese needs and 16% of iron needs. Manganese is a key mineral in the body, helping to form connective tissue and bones. Iron also plays a vital role in supporting healthy ligaments and tendons. By consuming turmeric, yogis get the manganese and iron they need for healthy body structure to carry them through their yoga practice.

Flexibility and Poses:

Yogis depend on turmeric as part of their healthy diet for strong tendons, ligaments, joints, and bones. Yoga takes the body through a variety of poses that require flexibility and resilience. Not only must you flow through movements, but you must also be able to hold poses for extended periods of time. With the support of turmeric’s phytonutrients, yogis have the flexibility and strength to move through their practice, hold poses, and avoid injuries.

Turmeric Beyond Yoga

Yogis aren’t the only ones benefiting from turmeric. Professional athletes and even Olympians have also begun eating turmeric and taking turmeric supplements. A systematic review of studies on curcumin, sports, and exercise found that almost all study participants experienced reductions in inflammation, oxidative stress, pain, and muscle damage. Curcumin also provided the athletes in the studies with superior recovery and muscle performance.

For example, Andy Newell, an American cross-country skier who participated in the Winter Olympics in South Korea, takes turmeric before heavy training days and long runs. He notes that it helps him bounce back faster and protects his knees and ankles from fatigue.

Yoga, Turmeric, and Mt. Meru Medicines

Yoga is close to the heart of Mt. Meru. Our founder, Radhika Ponda, has practiced yoga since she was a child growing up in India. There, Yoga and Ayurveda (Knowledge of Life) are engrained in daily life. They teach us about social ethics and personal discipline. Yoga also provides a place to channel energy and gain focus. Today, Radhika still practices yoga and even teaches Iyengar Yoga, a method taught by Guruji B.K.S Iyengar.

For Radhika, yoga and turmeric are an important part of a healthy, daily life - every day is International Yoga Day. These elements of a healthy life are also incredibly accessible - anyone can benefit from this partnership of yogis and turmeric. That’s why Radhika founded Mt. Meru Medicines - to give the world access to Lakadong Turmeric, which has the highest curcumin content of all turmeric. See for yourself by shopping our Lakadong Turmeric supplements.

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International Yoga Day 2022: Exploring the perfect partnership between Yogis and Turmeric