Yoga is not only a fantastic form of exercise but also a potential safeguard against cognitive decline, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at UCLA Health. The study focused on Kundalini yoga, a gentle yoga practice that emphasizes breathing, meditation, and mental visualization. It has shown promise in benefiting older women who may be experiencing memory decline and are at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
Using specialized MRI techniques to assess brain activity in specific areas, the scientists discovered that Kundalini yoga had a positive impact on brain connections within regions vulnerable to stress and associated with memory decline. The study compared the effects of Kundalini yoga to memory enhancement training (MET), which is considered the gold standard for memory improvement and employs verbal and visual association techniques. The hippocampus, a crucial brain structure for learning and memory, was the primary focus.
Dr. Helen Lavretsky, a psychiatrist and director of the Late-Life Mood, Stress, and Wellness Research Program, explained, “Kundalini yoga training appears to better target stress-related hippocampal connectivity, whereas MET may better target sensory-integration subregions of the hippocampus, supporting better memory reliability.” She added, “The key takeaway is that this study adds to the literature supporting the benefits of yoga for brain health, especially for women who have greater perceived stress and subjective memory impairment. This gentle form of yoga, which focuses more on breathing and mental engagement than on movement, like other forms of yoga, is ideal for older adults who may have some physical limitations.”
The study involved 22 participants, with an average age of approximately 61 for those practicing Kundalini yoga and about 65 for the MET group. All participants reported a decline in memory function over the past year and exhibited one or more risk factors for Alzheimer’s, such as diabetes, recent heart attacks, or arterial plaque buildup.
Both groups underwent 60-minute weekly training sessions over a 12-week period, supplemented by daily practice. Additionally, the Kundalini yoga group was introduced to another meditative yoga form called Kirtan Kriya (KK). Both yoga styles engage multiple senses and include chanting, which prior research suggests can have positive effects on respiratory and cardiovascular health.
Previous studies had already indicated that Kundalini and Kirtan Kriya yoga could positively impact depression, resilience, and executive functioning in older adults. This recent study used advanced MRI techniques to compare the effects of these yoga practices with memory training, specifically on the hippocampus.
UCLA Health researchers believe that Kundalini yoga may be particularly effective in processing facial information into memory, hinting at its potential long-term neuroprotective benefits. MET, on the other hand, seems more effective in integrating sensory information into memory, potentially enhancing memory reliability.
The study findings are published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
