Yoga Effects on Brain Health: A Systematic Review of the Current Literature

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Yoga, an ancient mind-body practice originating in Indian philosophy, has emerged as the most popular complementary health approach among adults in the United States. This practice integrates physical postures (asanas), rhythmic breathing (pranayama), and meditative exercises (dhyana) to cultivate a holistic mind-body experience. While the salutary effects of conventional physical exercise on overall health are well-established, the active attentional component intrinsic to breathing and meditation within yoga has increasingly captivated the attention of exercise neuroscientists. As empirical evidence supporting the multi-faceted benefits of yoga for both physical and mental well-being continues to accumulate, this article aims to systematically review the existing literature on the impact of yoga practice on brain structure and function. Specifically, we synthesize findings related to structural changes, functional connectivity, and cerebral blood flow, as assessed through neuroimaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional MRI (fMRI), and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). This review encompasses 11 studies examining the effects of yoga practice on critical brain regions, their interconnected networks, and their respective roles in cognitive and emotional processing. Collectively, these studies provide compelling evidence for the positive modulation of brain structure and/or function in several key areas, including the hippocampus, amygdala, prefrontal cortex, cingulate cortex, and the default mode network (DMN). These findings are particularly significant given the well-documented age-related atrophy and neurodegenerative declines observed across these brain regions (Raz et al., 2005). Therefore, the reviewed literature offers preliminary yet promising data that mindfulness-based behavioral interventions, like yoga, may possess the capacity to mitigate age-related and/or disease-driven neurological impairments, opening new avenues for potential therapeutic applications..