Do Yoga for a Happy Life

Yoga and Brain Studies

Scientists today are saying what yogis have been proclaiming for many thousands of years, if you want to be happy, then do yoga.  The confirmation of this wonderful benefit of doing yoga comes from recent research being done at the School of Medicine at Boston University.

Brain researchers there measured the amount of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric) levels in the brain of participants doing yoga 3 times a week for 1 hour, versus levels in participants doing other equivalent exercises for the same amount of time.  The study ran for 12 weeks and concluded elevated and rising levels of GABA in those doing yoga as compared to the other group.  So what does that mean?

Essentially, higher levels of GABA in the brain means less depression, anxiety and unhappiness.  So the higher the level, the greater the feeling of well-being and happiness one experiences.  This was confirmed subjectively by the group asked to do yoga.  This group simply felt better and calmer than those doing other forms of exercise.

These finding are to be published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine  and continues to add the mountain of research which says it is very good for you to do your yoga regularly.

Benefits of Doing Yoga and Meditation:

In past articles I have underscored how good yoga is for you.  The articles Top 10 Health Benefits of Yoga, gives details around these vast benefits of yoga.  In addition, to the benefits one gets from doing yoga there are also a wide range of benefits that come from doing meditation.  The scientific community has been busy researching and confirming these benefits as well and you will find those summarized in the following article, Health Benefits of Meditation.

Brain Benefits of Doing Yoga and Meditation:

Specifically with regard to the brain, research has also shown that meditation is excellent for brain function, and you can read about this research in the article, Brain Benefits of Meditation.  Also, the following yoga pose increases blood flow to the brain and is excellent for brain function and brain health – Hatha Yoga Pose for Brain Fitness.  Finally, you will find a nice summary of techniques to help with brain fitness in the following article: Brain Fitness Exercises for Healthy Brain Function.

Learn to do Yoga and Meditation:

All this research is showing that to live a happy and healthy life, yoga and meditation are excellent additions to your lifestyle.  To help you do yoga and help you get started with meditation, please go ahead and join the free online classes offered here on the website.  You will find all the details needed in the links below:

Free Online Yoga and Meditation Classes

Free Online Beginner’s Yoga Class

Free Learn How to Meditate Class