Yoga Instructor Jason Freskos Explains How Yoga May Help Reduce Aging of the Brain
Yoga instructor Jason Freskos recently explained how yoga may help reduce aging of the brain.
The physical and mental benefits of yoga are evident. In fact, they’ve been proven by science. You’ve probably heard that practicing yoga can increase your strength and flexibility. However, yoga has some serious physical and mental benefits that are not discussed as often. Yoga instructor Jason Freskos recently discussed how yoga can slow aging of the brain.
“If you hear that something can slow your brain’s aging, you probably think it’s some kind of vitamin or intense therapy,” Jason Freskos said. “However, it’s as simple as practicing yoga.”
Jason Freskos added that yoga has long been linked to traditional Eastern medicine and dates as far back as 3000 B.C. However, it wasn’t until recently that scientific research was able to show that yoga can reduce the aging of the brain. Jason Freskos added that this research has shown that yoga can reduce anxiety, depression, back pain, and various other ailments or illnesses. In 2019, research revealed even more incredible results, that yoga may improve brain health.
A review was published by Neha Gothe of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Exercise Psychology Lab in a 2019 review paper. The study examined a number of papers that use numerous types of brain scans to evaluate how yoga practices affect the brain. Breathing exercises, mediation, and physical poses were assessed. Jason Freskos explained that the results were incredible.
“Despite the fact that the studies were quite small, several patterns returned time and time again,” Jason Freskos said. “Practicing yoga increased the gray matter volume in a key memory structure, the hippocampus.”
Jason Freskos added that the practice also increased gray matter volume in areas of the prefrontal cortex, created superior connectivity across the brain’s default mode network. The default mode network is essential to processing emotions, memories, and information about yourself. Scientists suggested that having more gray matter volume in this area indicates superior functioning.
“The areas of the brain that experienced increased gray matter volume are those that normally decrease over time, especially in those battling dementia,” Jason Freskos said.
Jason Freskos finished by stating that more research needs to be done to determine whether the yoga practice reduces aging in the brain. However, the results of these studies proved promising.
“One of the best things about yoga is that all of its parts are good for you,” Jason Freskos said. “These studies are just one more reason to practice yoga regularly.”