Yoga Could Change Your Brain and Boost Mental Health
Yoga isn’t just about stretching or getting fit—it can actually change how your brain works, helping improve mental health. Research shows that yoga increases grey matter in the brain, which is important for memory, decision-making, and learning. According to the BBC, yoga also strengthens key brain areas like the hippocampus and amygdala, which are linked to emotions and stress management.
When I first tried yoga, it was just for fitness. But as I twisted into a pose called “Wild Thing” (Camatkarasana), I felt more than just physical strength—I felt unstoppable. Yoga connects the mind and body in a way that goes beyond regular exercise.
Yoga’s history dates back 2,000 years in ancient India, and today, it’s practiced worldwide in many forms. Some people use it to calm anxiety, manage chronic pain, or even reduce PTSD symptoms. BBC explains that yoga combines movement, breathing, and meditation, which might be why it helps people feel less stressed and happier.
The physical benefits are also impressive. Yoga builds strength, improves flexibility, and even boosts heart health. Athletes like footballers and basketball players swear by it. BBC notes that it’s even been used to help conditions like epilepsy, diabetes, and stroke recovery. For older adults, yoga can help maintain a healthier brain and body as they age.
What’s amazing, according to BBC, is how yoga impacts the brain. It reduces stress hormones like cortisol, which can cause inflammation and speed up aging. Meditation and deep breathing, two key parts of yoga, help relax the body and mind by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, or the “relaxation response.”
For people with PTSD, yoga offers hope. While traditional treatments don’t work for everyone, BBC highlights how yoga therapy, led by specially trained teachers, can help individuals process trauma in a safe, gradual way. However, not all yoga types are suitable for PTSD, so having a trauma-informed instructor is important.
Yoga doesn’t just calm the mind—it rewires it. BBC reports that practicing yoga can increase levels of a brain chemical called GABA, which helps reduce anxiety and improve mood. Combining breathwork, mindfulness, and movement is like a full package deal for better mental health.
Although more research is needed to understand exactly how yoga works on the brain, experts agree that its benefits are clear.
BBC shares that yoga has been practiced for thousands of years for a reason—it has the power to transform the mind and body. So, whether you want to feel stronger, calmer, or more connected, yoga might be worth trying.
Credit : BBC