有控制的深呼吸，心靈與外界和諧統一，這些聽起來像是練習瑜伽的基本要領，其實同樣適用于唱歌。瑞典哥德堡大學最新的研究發現，一旦同一個合唱團的成員們心跳變得同步，他們的身心就會更加平靜，這跟瑜伽的健身效果很相似。該研究的負責人表示，唱歌需要有規律有控制的呼吸，因為唱的時候需要吐氣，在樂句的間隙又要吸氣，這種呼吸方式跟瑜伽一樣，能幫助人放松下來，而且對心臟大有裨益。而且，經常唱歌的人能夠更加高效地呼吸。英國卡迪夫大學2012年的一項研究發現，參加過合唱團的癌癥患者們呼氣能力更強，這有利于他們的治療和康復。除此之外，還有更多的證據表明唱歌的健身功效，如唱歌能促進體內分泌內啡肽（具有鎮痛和調節體溫、心血管的作用），澳大利亞紐卡斯爾大學還發現唱歌能夠緩解老年人沮喪焦慮的情緒，并且能提升各年齡段人的幸福感。

Researchers at Sweden’s University of Gothenburg have found that the heartbeats of choir members begin to synchronise, resulting in a calming effect on the mind and body that has the same health benefits as the ancient practice of yoga.

Deep, controlled breaths and coming into harmony with those around you. It sounds like a description of some of the basic fundamentals of yoga. But it could also be applied to singing. Does comparing the two sound like a stretch? Not to some scientists who say that singing is just as healthy as yoga.

The London Telegraph reports that researchers at Sweden’s University of Gothenburg have found that the heartbeats of choir members begin to synchronise, resulting in a calming effect on the mind and body that has the same health benefits as the ancient practice of yoga.

“Song is a form of regular, controlled breathing, since breathing out occurs on the song phrases and inhaling takes place between these,” Dr. Bj?rn Vickhoff, who led the study, told the paper. “It gives you pretty much the same effect as yoga breathing. It helps you relax, and there are indications that it does provide a heart benefit.”

To get their results, researchers had a group of teenagers perform three singing exercises: chanting, humming and singing a hymm.

Of course, the study could not make a direct comparison of the overall physical benefits of yoga compared with singing. After all, there are a variety of yoga practices, many of which place an equal if not greater focus on physical development as they do on breathing or meditative exercises.

Still, there seems to be an abundance of evidence indicating that singing is healthy, including the simple fact that singing has been shown to release endorphins. Meaning that those who take part in the activity generally tend to feel better, which in and of itself can have a positive impact on overall health.

In addition, studies at Australia’s University of Newcastle have found that singing lowers levels of depression and anxiety in the elderly and improves a general sense of well-being for those of any age.

Those who sing regularly also breathe more efficiently. That sounds fine and good for everyday living. But the Telegraph notes that a 2012 study by Cardiff University found that cancer patients who sang in a choir had a greater expiratory capacity, which benefitted their treatment and recovery.

A 2008 joint study by Harvard and Yale even notes that a Connecticut town had a higher than average life expectancy directly tied to the large number of residents who participated in choir activities.

Still, despite the promising results from the Gothenburg study, Vickhoff isn’t telling people to roll up their yoga mats just yet. "The medical effects need investigating further," he said.

（Source: YAHOO News）

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（中國日報網英語點津 實習生 張益欣，編輯?Helen ）