We take care of physical fitness, wrinkles, our diet; we care about our appearance, from hair, nails, to waxing. Yet often little attention is paid to something much more important and decisive for our existence: the brain .
Good reading, intellectual activity, creative hobbies and the outdoors are some ways to cuddle and keep it active. Yoga should definitely be added to them! Why? Read on!
How does yoga affect the brain?
The fact that yoga acts on the brain is confirmed by many studies that have taken into consideration the question of multiple cist points:
- It would have been shown that the practice increases the number of neurons in some key areas such as the visual cortex or the cingulate cortex. In fact, specific tests have shown an increase in the mass of gray matter, especially in areas related to introspection, self-awareness, and compassion.
- Yoga improves the efficiency of the hippocampus, that is the area connected to memory and learning. Not surprisingly, it is a highly recommended activity for those who study, so much so that some cutting-edge schools are conducting experiments to include it within the timetable of the lessons.
- It also slows down the activity of the amygdala, the part of the brain connected to anxiety and stress. These two enormous enemies of well-being are very effectively fought by the practice which, lesson after lesson, teaches them to tame them.
From these few indications, one thing is evident: every time we win laziness and attend our yoga course we are not just going to practice a healthy activity that keeps us in shape, relaxes us and helps us to ease stress. We also give a huge gift to one of the most important organs we have, the brain, and we help it to stay young and efficient.
How yoga can help posture
A practice for everyone
Although yoga has tremendous preventive power - and it is perhaps its greatest power - it can be introduced into the existence of an individual also as a support in the case of diseases such as Parkinson's disease or in the case of major disorders due to some trauma suffered or a very strong stress.
We would like to remind you of this possibility for all readers over the years who might think that this article is intended only for young rampant students or professionals: on the contrary, it is never too late to take care of yourself and, indeed, perhaps in retirement you also have more time to dedicate and more possibilities to satisfy your needs.
Yoga is a very suitable activity also for the third age and is excellent for slowing the path of time both for the benefit of the brain and the rest of the body. Moreover, not insignificant, it is a not particularly expensive discipline, often practiced in structures accessible even to those who have to pay, rightly, an eye to the portfolio to make ends meet.
Yoga, brain and health
Our lifestyle subjects our brains to a very strong and enormously prolonged stress, which often characterizes the whole life. This is extremely damaging to health, lowers the quality of life and affects well-being substantially.
True, there are many ways to alleviate it, but yoga certainly remains one of the most effective, economical and generous of benefits.
