The team from the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior used specialized MRI techniques to analyze brain activity.
UCLA Health researchers have found that Kundalini tantra yoga, a gentle form of yoga emphasizing breathing, meditation, and mental visualization, holds promise in preventing cognitive decline in older women at risk for Alzheimer’s disease
They observed that Kundalini tantra yoga bolstered connections in a stress-vulnerable brain region linked to memory decline. This was compared to the effects of memory enhancement training (MET), a recognized gold standard utilizing verbal and visual association techniques to improve memory.
Dr. Helen Lavretsky, director of the Late-Life Mood, Stress, and Wellness Research Program, highlighted that Kundalini tantra yoga specifically targets stress-related hippocampal connectivity, while MET may focus on sensory integration subregions, enhancing memory reliability. The study involved 22 participants, aged around 61 for the yoga group and about 65 for MET, all reporting a decline in memory function over the past year and displaying risk factors for Alzheimer’s.
Over 12 weeks, both groups underwent 60-minute weekly Kundalini tantra yoga training sessions with daily practice
The Kundalini tantra yoga group also incorporated Kirtan Kriya (KK), a meditative yoga form involving chanting, known to benefit respiratory and cardiovascular health. Advanced MRI techniques were used to assess yoga’s impact on the hippocampus compared to memory training.
Researchers suggest that Kundalini tantra yoga may excel in processing facial information into memory, hinting at its long-term neuroprotective benefits. Meanwhile, MET appears more adept at integrating sensory information into memory, potentially enhancing memory reliability. This study adds to the growing body of evidence supporting yoga’s role in preserving brain health, particularly beneficial for women experiencing high stress and subjective memory decline.
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