Practice Yoga for Brain Health

We should all be concerned about the health and fitness of our brains. We are living longer these days, but long life, unfortunately, can be associated with reduced mental capacity if we don't take care of our brains throughout our lives. However, there are many things we can do while we're younger to improve our brain function, helping to ensure that our brains stay fit and strong just as long as our bodies.

Exercise is, of course, important to brain health. And, it seems that yoga is one of the best exercises for both body fitness and brain fitness. Yoga is actually a system of exercise designed to improve both the body and the mind through a system of eight limbs. The limbs of yoga practice include asana (posture), pranayama (breathwork), dhyana (meditation), (restraints) and niyamas (observances.) The practice of yoga is designed to help the body and mind work together for the benefit of both.

Yoga helps the body be more flexible and improves muscle strength and increases relaxation. However, yoga also offers the following benefits in terms of brain health:

* Decreases anxiety and depression - Research has shown that regular practice of yoga increases the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. Insufficient levels of GABA in the brain have been associated with a higher risk of anxiety and depression, so it appears that yoga may help prevent these problems, which are very prevalent in older adults.

* Regulates dopamine in the brain - Dopamine is a neuro-transmitter in the brain. Regular practice of yoga has been shown to increase dopamine levels. Parkinson's disease, as well as addiction and anxiety disorders have all been associated with insufficient levels of dopamine. Therefore, it appears that proper dopamine regulation may prevent, or possibly even treat, these disorders.

* Increases endorphin release - Endorphins are natural mood enhancers, secreted by the brain. Studies have shown an increase in dopamine levels during intense yoga breath work (pranayama). Therefore, those who practice yoga breath work may feel more relaxed; less stressed and report a higher general feeling of well being.

* Reduces stress - The regular release and regulation of endorphins can also reduce stress. In addition, yoga teaches the practices of relaxation, helping yoga aficionados have the ability to recognize when they're feeling stressed out and do something about it. Such coping mechanisms are beneficial to helping us manage stress throughout our lives. Since studies show that severe or chronic stress can actually damage the brain, we'd all do well to have a mechanism for coping with stress that works as well as yoga.

* Increases brain activity - Yoga's breath work has also been shown to increase beta activity in the brain. Increased beta activity has been associated with increased brain focus and awareness.

So, as you can see, practicing yoga can provide benefits to the body and the brain. After a few months of regular yoga, you should be far more flexible, which helps ward off the stiffness and decreased mobility that so often accompanies aging. In addition, you may also find that you are more focused and relaxed. These are all qualities that help improve body and brain health and fitness as we age.

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