Today in class we looked at how squats improve your brain function in surprising ways and also your blood flow to your brain!
Squat stands intermittently challenge the brain with increase and decrease in blood flow. It is best to aim for 3 minutes a day!
Listen to the short BCC podcast below for more information.
Exercise overall helps grow the hippocampus and improves blood flow to this region of the brain, which has been linked to reducing neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. It is a preventative medicine against alezeimers and dementia.
And we did a lot of squats today in Utkatasana and Ardha Utkatasana.
Occasionally, we reverted to fast squats, and we employed HIIT yoga training which is excellent for seeing an increase in BDNF factor (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) which enhances neuroplasticity and learning.
We also looked at using these squatting exercises along with rapid breathing techniques such as bhastrika to spike adrenaline for enhancing memory. We want to spike adrenaline after learning or studying or to help enhance memory.
We also practiced long breath holds (anatara and rechaka kumbhaka) for increasing serotonin and dopamine to experience the bliss states that free divers, meditators and yogis come to know so well with practice.
Squat, hold your breath and live long!
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