Yoga can help
lower stress, stave off cognitive decline by strengthening brain regions
involved in working memory, improve overall brain function and
neuroplasticity, reduce body image dissatisfaction and anxiety, and much
more
Evidence
suggests yoga can have an effect similar to antidepressants and
psychotherapy, reducing anxiety and aggression by influencing
neurotransmitters and boosting serotonin
Research shows
experienced yoga practitioners have greater gray matter volume in
several brain regions compared to matched controls, suggesting it has
neuroprotective effects
Older
individuals participating in 12 weeks of Kundalini yoga experienced
statistically significant improvement in depression and visuospatial
memory
Yoga can also
be a valuable aid in healing childhood trauma and sexual violations, and
has been found to help college-aged women struggling with body-image
dissatisfaction to develop healthier relationships with their bodies
Qigong and Thai Chi are gentle exercises that can benefit everyone especially the elderly.
Story at-a-glance
Tai
Chi, a branch of Qigong, has been practiced for over 2,000 years.
Frequently described as meditation in motion, the activity takes you
through a set of slow, gentle movements while you focus on your breath
Tai
Chi and/or Qigong may be particularly beneficial for the elderly and
those struggling with chronic pain conditions, thanks to its low impact.
You can even do Tai Chi if you’re confined to a wheelchair
Some
of the strongest evidence supports Qigong for conditions relating to
pain and fatigue, lung and cardiovascular function, balance and
coordination, stress and anxiety, and general immune function
