What does Downward Dog, the Plough Pose and Warrior Pose all have in common?
They fire up and boost the brain!
According to latest studies published by the Journal Frontiers in Immunology, doing yoga for 20 minutes a day protects the brain against age-associated cognitive decline and can improve your memory… just as sharp as elephants!
Did you know that the older female elephants have the best and most accurate memories of the herd? This helps the survival of the herd, as they remember and direct the herd to past water holes and good food areas and other protective issues. They have the largest brain of any land animal. We know they understand and differentiate languages, can paint, use tools, are sympathetic and mourn the loss of their family members.
Researchers recruited 21 women over 60 years who had practiced yoga at least twice a week for a minimum of 8 years. These women were compared to 21 women (same age) who had not practiced yoga.
All participants of the study had their brains scanned with MRIs, where a greater thickness in the left prefrontal cortex of the brain (responsible for memory and attention span) was seen in the women who practiced yoga! Yoga can change the structure and functioning of the brain and protect cognitive functioning.
Yoga has also been shown to increase the levels of GABA (gamma-aminobutryic acid), which is a chemical in the brain that helps to regulate nerve activity. This is important for those people who suffer from anxiety, where they would have low levels of GABA.
Now you know, if you’d like to be like an elephant that never forgets … find your inner warrior and downward dog and start today!