We all are aware of the positive and constructive effects of the spiritual practice of Yoga. Boosting its effects all the more, a study has found that regular Yoga not only significantly increases and maintains your memory health, it can also be helpful in relieving depression and anxiety.
Published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, the medical health study funded by the Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation, analysed 25 participants over the age of 55. 11 of the study's participants had weekly 1 hour long memory training sessions with things like crossword puzzles and digital games. The other 14 participants were given weekly 1 hour long yoga sessions, along with a 20 minute spiritual Hindu-based Kirtan Kriya meditation to practice at home each day over 12 weeks.
At the end of the 12 week study, all participants recorded similar verbal memory improvements, however, the yoga study group improved the most with visual-spatial memory. Researchers saw changes in the way the brain cells connected with each other, and the only statistically significant change were found in the people practicing yoga. Lead researcher Harris Eyre, from the University of Adelaide, said, "Historically and anecdotally, yoga has been thought to be beneficial in aging well, but this is the scientific demonstration of that benefit. We're converting historical wisdom into the high level of evidence required for doctors to recommend therapy to their patients."
The study used the method of Kundalini yoga, which incorporates movement, breath, sound, and meditation and is not your typical asana or vinyasa practice. It is however, a series of invigorating kriyas that will sometimes have you flapping your arms or kicking your feet for several minutes at a time to stir the Kundalini energy.
This isn't the first study that vouches for the ancient Hindu practice. The discipline is so widely accepted today, that a recently released '2016 Yoga in America Study' said that around 37 million Americans now practice yoga. Professor Helen Lavretsky of the University of California, said, "If you or your relatives are trying to improve your memory or offset the risk of developing memory loss or dementia, a regular practice of yoga and meditation could be a simple, safe and low-cost solution to improving your brain fitness."
