How Yoga Gives Your Brain a Mini Workout

Ever wonder what's going on in your brain when you're doing yoga? A recent study took a closer look.

The Study

• Participants: 27 healthy adults
• Duration: Approximately 23 minutes of yoga
• Setup:
• 6 minutes of quiet sitting before and after the yoga session
• A mix of active and resting poses
• Each active pose held for 30 seconds, followed by a short break

The Tool

Researchers used a special tool called fNIRS (functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy) to monitor the frontal part of the brain.

The Findings

• Blood Chemicals: Data collected on oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin.
• Brain Communication: How different parts of the brain were interacting.
• Conclusion: fNIRS is effective for observing brain activity during movement. New insights into how yoga affects the brain.

Limitations

• Small study size.
• Only healthy adults were included.

The Takeaway

While we can't generalize the results to everyone, it's fascinating to consider how yoga might be changing our brains in real time. A reminder that our brains are always active, even when we're just trying to touch our toes.