The impact of yoga on brain has been well studied and documented. Today, almost everybody is going through a certain level of stress, stress could be of work, relationships, finances etc. Yoga is one such practice which balances all the aspects of life. Researches show, how impactful yoga on brain is. In this post we are sharing ‘how yoga impacts our brain positively,’ and the benefits of practicing yoga on brain.
Yoga as a holistic approach
Yoga is often perceived as practice of few asanas or poses, and, most often its benefits are only perceived to be at the physical level. However, it is more than just asanas, it is an art, an effective system of practice, which helps balancing one’s health at physical, mental, social and spiritual level. Yoga is a low-impact exercise, which involves every organ and body part along with our breathing pattern, thereby creating balance in our body and mind. Yoga does not just focus on one part of body like most workouts, in fact, it brings all the aspects such as mind, body and breath into one line.
Practicing yoga regularly not only helps in becoming more flexible, toned, and healthy, but also helps us unite with ourselves in a deeper level. Every action we perform in practicing yoga activates nervous system – brain, muscles, bones, and emotions all at once. Yoga poses bring a holistic change that help us lead a balanced and more fulfilling life.
Positive impact of yoga on brain and mental health
There are many studies and research that shows yoga and meditation can improve our memory and attention. Both, yoga and meditation help us to function at a higher level at work, home or in school/colleges. Yoga helps one to cope up with the adverse situations in a more realistic way – it teaches acceptance, let go of negative energies, and gratitude, which is needed to handle the situation.
In addition, studies even show that people who practice yoga on a regular basis are less likely to have any mental issue with ageing. Because, the brain regions associated with attention and sensory processing that frequently diminishes over the years, remain more youthful in them.
The author of Super Brain book, Master Chao Kok Sui, even revealed that when children (between the ages of 5 and 9 years) with various neurological disabilities, were exposed to yoga, they started to display better emotional responses, and a much normal behavior. Moreover, they became more focused and performed better in their studies.
How yoga impacts our brain positively?
Believe it or not, but studies show that practice of yoga can naturally prevent and treat psychosomatic diseases. Yoga is considered as one of the best treatments for anxiety, depression, and stress-related conditions, which also includes IBS, heart disease, high blood pressure etc.
Basically the concept is very simple, when we practice yoga, GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid) levels in our brain increase. This neurotransmitter calms our mind by supplanting neural activity. There are evidences, which show that just one hour of yoga can boost GABA levels as much by 27 percent. Also, yoga supports healthy gray matter in the brain, thereby leading to improved memory and increased feelings of happiness. Over time, yoga on brain boost self-control and decision-making abilities. Deep breathing, muscle relaxation, mindfulness, meditation, etc. used in yoga can rewire our brain and improve its chemical composition.
Effect of yoga on brain are calming, which relieves muscle tension, decreases heart rate, and lowers the stress hormone cortisol levels. In fact, yoga can keep our mind sharp until late in life. Studies show that 20 minutes of Hatha yoga can improve brain function to a greater extent than 20 minutes of jogging or other aerobic exercises. Health experts even believe that yoga and other meditative practices alter genetic expression and cause positive changes in the brain structure. Also, it increases dopamine and serotonin levels in our brain. Some health experts even consider yoga better than antidepressants for the young brain. For instance, yogasana like Shavasana (Corpse Pose), helps you concentrate on the stress stored in every part of the body, thereby helping you to release stress in the process. Also, inverted poses help the blood flow into the brain, which increases brain’s function. During meditative state one is able to connect with him/her at a deeper level, which promotes calm mind.
Significant impacts of yoga on brain structure
Yoga changes our brain activity significantly, below are some ways yoga changes our brain:
1. Yoga triggers the brain’s feel-good chemicals
As said earlier, practicing yoga increases GABA level, dopamine, and serotonin in our brain, which in turn makes our brain more resilient to pain. Moreover, if yoga is combined with pranayama (breathing technique), effects of yoga on brain increases to a great extent. The combination of yoga and pranayama can help to balance the autonomic nervous system, thereby helping to curb the emotional turmoil that leads to depression and anxiety.
2. Yoga lowers the stress hormone cortisol levels
Yoga poses such as inverted ones and the ones where head is placed above the heart, increase the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. Due to which the stress hormone cortisol levels in our brain drop. Also, it promotes better sleep, which is crucial for the effective functioning of the brain in day to day life.
3. Yoga increases grey matter in the brain
Grey matter, basically involves the part of the nervous system that controls the body muscles and sensory perceptions. The study by Harvard researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital found that after two months of regular yoga practice along with the meditation, the hippocampus in the brain of the subject had much denser grey matter. Which simply means that the chances of the subject becoming more introspective and compassionate are more than those who do not practice yoga. Also, increased grey matter leads to a sharper memory and improved learning skills in practitioners.
4. Yoga triggers the Parasympathetic Nervous System
The autonomic nervous system in the human brain has two parts: Sympathetic nervous system and Parasympathetic nervous system. Sympathetic system triggers when one senses danger and reacts either by fighting the situation or running from the situation. Whereas, Parasympathetic system acts just differently, it allows one’s brain to understand the situation and then make informed decisions accordingly. Yoga on brain however, activates this part of the nervous system, especially poses which facilitate the flow of blood into the brain.
5. Yoga makes us smarter
Basically, yoga increases cortical folding or gyrification in the brain that improves the decision making abilities and makes one smarter. The more cortical folds our brain has, the better we can perceive and process information. Yoga helps in thickening layers of cerebral cortex in the brain. Cerebral cortex is specifically associated with higher learning and its thickening causes enhanced learning abilities and mindful actions. Therefore, regular practice of yoga helps with improved concentration, process information, and augment motor speed.
6. Yoga improves computational skills
It’s great news for those who are scared of mathematics (pun intended☺). But trust that effects of yoga on brain are beyond imagination. Practicing yoga or regular basis can even sharpen your mathematical ability. And the Research was done at Bolo University of Miami School of Medicine, where they found that math computation skills of each participant after the session were much improved than before.
7. Yoga help growth of multiple sections of brain
Studies show that the one who practices yoga regularly has more brain cells than the ones who do not practice yoga at all. Researchers have found that multiple sections of brain, such as; the Somatosensory Cortex (It has central map of human body), Superior parietal cortex (responsible for directing attention), Praecuneus and Posterior Cingulate Cortex (area that help in our concept of self), Visual Cortex (involves visualization), and Hippocampus (helps in dampening stress) can be enlarged with regular yoga practice:
8. Yoga benefits the students
As said earlier, stress is becoming the very part of our lives, even students at very tender age getting affected by stress. Therefore, by incorporating yoga in their daily lives, students can easily cope up with the stress. As, yoga helps release anxiety and the stress which comes with the classroom pressure or parental pressure to achieve more.
9. Pranayama prevents memory loss
Performing Pranayama after the yoga session is very good for one’s mental health. Pranayama is an art of conscious breathing, helps you release any kind of anxiety or stress along with strengthening your memory positively. Pranayama helps the brain to receive the required amount of oxygen and blood, which prevents memory loss.
10. Meditation boosts brain functionality
Lastly, meditation is the most common practice which is used to calm down the mind and retain the energy. Yoga poses help you feel energetic, while meditation helps you be one with yourself. There are various techniques used for meditation – such as mindfulness, or focusing mind on a particular object, or on a thought or on an activity or on one’s breath, etc. One can practice any technique of meditation in order to train attention and awareness, to achieve calm and stable state of mind.
Final words……
Undoubtedly, yoga is one of the best ways to keep your brain sharp and reduce anxiety and stress. Regular practice of yoga can ward off negative thoughts and create an overall sense of calmness. Yoga is considered as one of the natural stress relief remedies. Additionally, yoga shows significant positive impacts on people with bipolar disorder, phobias, memory decline, and schizophrenia.
If you feel sluggish, stressed, anxious, or depressed, yoga can help you come out of such feelings. Yoga not only affects the body, but also our mind and emotions. Yoga requires no special gear, all you need is a mat and some free time. Yoga when combined with meditation and pranayama is more effective on brain. It changes the brain and helps you eventually reach your goals.
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