The Exercise That Improves Brain Function

Most people exercise with the goal of improving their health and physical appearance, but a new study shows that one form of exercise may also improve your brain function.

If you're workout routine typically involves some cardio and working out with weights, you may be doing wonderful things for your body, but not everything you can for your mind.

A new study conducted at the University of Illinoiscompared the standard stretching and

toning exercise routine to a more meditative hatha yoga routine and found for brain function one is much better than the other.

The study found that after eight-weeks the participants that practiced hatha yoga regularly were thinking faster and remembering better, while the brain function of those that just stretched and toned with weights had no noticeable change.

And as Edward McAuley, a professor at U of I and co-author of this study points out,

And even though this particular study focused on adults aged 55 to 79, improved brain function is something everyone could use. Especially students who are heading back to school and back to the books.

Though researchers agree that more studies of longer duration are necessary, early results seem to show that maybe a steady yoga routine could even help improve school work. So maybe this year try adding some yoga to your study routine!