Yoga and Brain Power – What is the Connection?

It is well known that our physical health is closely connected to our mental health. The same activities that make us physically stronger and fitter can also improve our mental wellness and acuity. In the case of yoga, pranayam and meditation, there are multiple ways in which these help to boost brain power, and a new study seems to reiterate this.

There are ways to boost brain power; yoga is one of them.

Some of us tend to believe that we are stuck with the brain we were born with. If some of us are absentminded or forgetful and find new information difficult to retain, then that is what we have to learn to live with. This is not necessarily true. With the brain, the more it is used, the better it functions. In other words, we lose what we don’t use. Physical exercise, and mental exercise such as playing strategy games, Sudoku and doing other tasks that challenge the mind are known to improve memory, cognition and mental agility. Yoga, meditation and pranayama are also seen to improve brain power.

Yoga and brain power – what studies say

A few years ago, research published in the Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging journal studied the impacts of an eight week meditation program on a group of people. Mindfulness meditation was seen to improve memory and learning. Researchers also saw positive changes in areas of the brain relating to compassion, introspection and awareness. Reductions in anxiety and stress were also noted – factors seen to have a positive correlation with the development of neurodegenerative diseases later in life.

Now a new study published in the Alternative and Complementary Medicine journal, had yet more interesting findings to share. This time around, researchers examined clinically depressed patients and the impact of yoga and breathing on their state of mind. After three months of doing yoga, the study participants showed improvement in their depressive symptoms. MRIs taken before and after the study also bore out these findings. The researchers found that the brain messenger molecule GABA was elevated as a result of doing yoga over some months. This led researchers to conclude that yoga and conscious breathing techniques can help improve symptoms of anxiety and depression.

My own experiences with yoga therapy

Yoga aasans that improve the flow of blood to the brain – such as halasan, setu bandh aasan, sarvangasan, paschimottanasana – may be particularly beneficial. In addition, Bhramari pranayama or bee breathing is thought to be good for the functioning of the brain.

As someone who is now gaining experience in the field of yoga therapy, I am discovering more and more of the beneficial impacts of yoga and meditation among those who approach me for treatment. It is a fact that regular practice removes negative emotions and anger, and helps restore calmness and empathy. As one does meditation regularly and mindfully, there is an appreciable reduction in feelings of anger and antipathy. I have seen people develop greater patience and self-awareness. This has empowered them to come to terms with and resolve many of the issues that they face in life. Yoga counselling and therapy isn’t just about curing diseases. Sometimes it can simply be about living better and improving interpersonal relationships. Ultimately, yoga and meditation are about self-healing – healing of the mind, body and soul!