Yoga: A Mind-Body Practice That Improves the Brain

Muscles and Mind, Mind-Body

Contributed by Julia C. Basso, Post-doctoral Research Associate, New York University, Center for Neural Science

Yoga: A Mind-Body Practice That Improves the Brain

Yoga is an ancient Indian mind-body practice that focuses on both movement (asanas) and breath (pranayama).  It first came to the United States around the early 1900s, but it did not gain popularity until the 1960s.  Today, it is an extremely popular practice. An estimated 9.5% of US adults use the mindful form of exercise as a complementary health form (NIH, NCAM).  Yoga has a rich tradition as a spiritual practice. However, many Americans use it today simply as a form of exercise. This is because yoga’s rigorous physical movements provide an excellent physical activity regimen.  

Within the context of yoga, many traditional (and commercialized!) branches exist. When you look at the offerings, you will find such forms as hatha, vinyasa, bikram, kundalini, ashtanga, acro, partner, and even naked yoga!  For example, hatha yoga is a type where particular asanas (poses) are held for extended periods of time. On the other hand, Kundalini incorporates many poses that involve constant movement.  Though many focus on the physical aspects of yoga, it’s ultimate goal, as outlined by the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali, is to attain a state of Samādhi or perfect consciousness. In this state, one is liberated from the physical self. There, the conscious mind is in a state of perfect balance or harmony (Satchidananda, 1978).

Awareness

Most Americans probably are not practicing yoga for the purpose of as Patañjali put forth, “to inhibit the modifications of the mind.” However, 21 million people currently practice yoga in the United States. As it has gained popularity as an American pastime, it has also gained popularity as a topic of scientific investigation. Nearly 1,600 research articles are published each year on the topic (Schmalzl et al., 2015).  

Like other forms of physical activity, yoga is good for the body. It improves cardiorespiratory capacity (VO2 max) and decreases resting heart rate, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and total serum cholesterol levels (Schmalzl et al., 2015). Yoga is also good for the mind. It decreases stress, anxiety, and aggressiveness and improves mood and overall quality of life and wellbeing (Schmalzl et al., 2015).  Additionally, practicing yoga can improve both short and long-term memory. Also, It can improve executive functioning such as problem solving, attention and cognitive flexibility (Schmalzl et al., 2015).  This work on the effects of yoga on cognitive functioning points to the ability of yoga to improve an area of our brain called the prefrontal cortex, known to be involved in decision making and the planning of complex behaviors.   

Yoga: A Mind-Body Practice That Improves the BrainYoga and the Brain

Based on this information, one recent scientific review set out to examine the specific neural changes that occur as a result of a long-term yoga practice.  In one set of studies, electroencephalography (EEG) was used to study the effects of yoga on brain wave activity.  These brain waves reflect the overall electrical activity of the brain and are composed of different oscillations that support specific behaviors and thought processes.  One predominant finding was that yoga specifically increased the so-called alpha waves (Desai et al., 2015).  Alpha waves occur when the neurons in our brain fire together at a frequency of between 8 to 13 times per second.  Alpha waves are typically observed when an individual is awake but restful or in state of deep relaxation.  

Shifting States

By practicing yoga we can significantly change our brain’s electrical activity. We can shift it towards a more calm, meditative state.  Additionally, several studies examined the blood flow or energy consumption of specific brain regions using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).  By using this technique, researchers found that a long-term yoga practice increased blood flow to the frontal lobes. Furthermore, it decreased blood flow to the amygdala (Desai et al., 2015).  In a general sense, the frontal lobes provide us with our cognitive abilities. This part of our brain becomes active when we are problem-solving.  Additionally, the amygdala allows us to regulate our emotions. The amygdala becomesg more active in stressful, agitated, or heightened states of emotion.  Therefore, this work reveals that yoga is able to stimulate the “thinking” part of our brains and tone down or help us regulate the “emotional” part of our brains.

In a general sense, the frontal lobes provide us with our cognitive abilities, and this part of our brain becomes active when we are problem-solving.  Additionally, the amygdala allows us to regulate our emotions, becoming more active in stressful, agitated, or heightened states of emotion.  Therefore, this work reveals that yoga is able to stimulate the “thinking” part of our brains and tone down or help us regulate the “emotional” part of our brains.

Staving Off Loss

A very recent study examined whether yoga is neuroprotective; that is, whether practicing yoga can help to stave off age-related brain matter loss (Villemure et al., 2015).  Fourteen experienced yoga practitioners with a range of 6-16 years of yoga experience and practicing 4 to 18 hours a week were compared to 14 physically active controls, matched on sex, age, BMI, education, handedness, and exercise level outside of yoga.  Grey matter volume (GMV), a measure of the cell bodies of neurons, was examined across several brain regions.  

In controls, whole brain GMV negatively correlated with age, whereas in the yoga practitioners, no such association was seen.  Further, both the number of years of yoga practice as well as the current number of hours of weekly yoga practice was positively associated with GMV in several regions of the brain, including the cortex and hippocampus.  This study shows that yoga may protect the brain from age-related loss in brain tissue and that the more yoga you practice, the better!

The More The Better

In controls, whole brain GMV negatively correlated with age, whereas in the yoga practitioners, no such association was seen.  Further, both the number of years of yoga practice as well as the current number of hours of weekly yoga practice was positively associated with GMV in several regions of the brain, including the cortex and hippocampus.  This study shows that yoga may protect the brain from age-related loss in brain tissue and that the more yoga you practice, the better!

Of course, future research is needed to understand which aspects of yoga contribute most to improvements in brain function and growth.  However, research has certainly revealed that yoga is an effective way to improve mood, increase cognition, enhance brain functioning, and stave off age-related loss of brain matter.

References:

Desai, R., Tailor, A., & Bhatt, T. (2015). Effects of yoga on brain waves and structural activation: A review. Complementary therapies in clinical practice, 21(2), 112-118.

National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2015). Use of Complementary Health Approaches in the U.S.: National Health Interview Survey.  Taken from: https://nccih.nih.gov/research/statistics/NHIS/2012/mind-body/yoga.

Satchidananda, Sri Swami (1978). The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Integral Yoga Publications:  Buckingham, VA.

Schmalzl, L., Powers, C., & Blom, E. H. (2015). Neurophysiological and neurocognitive mechanisms underlying the effects of yoga-based practices: towards a comprehensive theoretical framework. Frontiers in human neuroscience, 9.

Villemure, C., Čeko, M., Cotton, V. A., & Bushnell, M. C. (2015). Neuroprotective effects of yoga practice: age-, experience-, and frequency-dependent plasticity. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 9.

You Might Like:

Ice hole polar plunge

The Science of Temperature Therapy

Temperature therapy (also known as “thermal therapy” or “thermotherapy”) involves the use of heat or cold to improve health and function. Interestingly, thermotherapy has been around for centuries, with ancient cultures regularly using hot springs,...

The Predictors of Longevity You Need to Care About

Living a long and healthy life is a universal aspiration, and with the publication of Peter Aittia’s new book “Outlive”, it has never been a bigger focus. With this has come the realisation that, while...
Women training together

How Overtraining and Undertraining Impacts Hormonal Health

While maintaining a healthy hormonal balance is essential for overall health and wellbeing, it is an often-overlooked component of women’s health. Hormones play a vital role in regulating various bodily functions, including metabolism, energy, mood,...
Upper body strength

Upper Body Strength in Post-Menopausal Women

Menopause is a unique time in the human life, and with it comes a myriad of changes that can have wide reaching health implications. However, over the last 20 years we have seen a strong...
Exercise partners congratulating each other during workout

Exercise After Menopause: What You Need To Know

Menopause is one of the most significant events in a woman’s life, and with it comes several changes that can affect function. Moreover, the post-menopausal period comes with many health considerations that can have a...
Exercise partners congratulating each other during workout

Exercise After Menopause: What You Need To Know

Family outdoors

Stop Taking Loans on Your Health

Weightlifting

New Research on How to Prevent Alzheimer’s Now

Exercise

Habit Stacking: How to Build Exercise Habits

Sleep

Best Time to Work Out Based on Sleep Animal

Jump Rope

Can Athletes Benefit from More Mitochondria?

pushups

How to Workout to Promote Longevity

Woman eating healthy food

The World’s Most Powerful Antioxidant: Glutathione

Handstand

Home Based Exercise Goals – Improve Your Fitness and Mental Fortitude

Female athlete exercising while sick

How Exercise Prevents Sickness

Leave a Reply