Yoga has been a tried and true method of exercise and relaxation for centuries now. It is a common practice, especially among women, that is done all over the world. However, studies are now revealing that yoga not only has physical benefits and acts as a de-stressor, but also can improve the function of your brain. Just 20 minutes of standard Hatha yoga can improve your brain's speed and ability to learn and remember new information. It is apparently even more effective at doing this than 20 minutes of vigorous exercise. In a study comparing the two different forms of activity, the group who participated in yoga performed better on tests of reaction time and accuracy (Gothe).
What is it about yoga that makes our minds so much sharper? During yoga, you relax your body and mind so that all distracting thoughts evaporate and you are able to focus only on what you are doing at the moment. Experts say it's possible that after yoga this mental state carries over to our regular lives, allowing us to focus more on whatever task we may be doing. Also, decrease in anxiety and stress, a known side effect of yoga, can help improve our cognitive functioning. Along with this comes an increased self-awareness that can also help our minds. So if you are looking for a new form of exercise or feeling that your mind is too cluttered, give yoga a try.
source: http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/06/06/20-minutes-of-yoga-can-tone-mind-as-well-as-body/55663.html
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