Here’s how yoga enhances brain structures and functions

People are generally aware of the positive effects of yoga on the body but very few know about its effect on the brain. The amygdala, a brain structure that contributes to emotional regulation, tends to be larger in yoga practitioners than in their peers who do not practice yoga. Though many of the studies are exploratory and not conclusive, the research points to other important brain changes associated with regular yoga practice, Damoiseaux said. The studies also find that the brain changes seen in individuals practising yoga are associated with better performance on cognitive tests or measures of emotional regulation. “So far, we don’t have the evidence to identify what those mechanisms are.” Yoga helps people with or without anxiety disorders manage their stress, Gothe said.”The practice of yoga helps improve emotional regulation to reduce stress, anxiety and depression,” she said.