Positive Health Online

Abstract

COHEN and COLLEAGUES,  Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA studied cerebral blood flow prior to and following 12-weeks of Iyengar yoga practice.

Background

Experienced practitioners of yoga have been shown to alter brain function, but this case series measured cerebral blood flow before and after a 12-week training program in Iyengar yoga (IY) for naive subjects.

Methodology

On the first day, each of the 4 subjects listened to the teacher speaking on the history and background of the yoga program while they were injected with 250 MBq of (99m)Tc-bicisate and received a single photon emission computed tomography scan (pre-program baseline). Subjects then had their first IY training and were injected and scanned with 925 MBq bicisate while they did their first meditation (pre-program meditation). Subjects then underwent a 12-week training program in IY and then underwent the same imaging protocol with a postprogram baseline and postprogram meditation scan. Baseline and meditation scans, before and after training, were compared using paired t tests.

Results

There were significant decreases (p < 0.05) between the pre- and postprogram baseline scans in the right amygdala, dorsal medial cortex, and sensorimotor area. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the pre- and postprogram percentage change (i.e., activation) in the right dorsal medial frontal lobe, prefrontal cortex, and right sensorimotor cortex.

Conclusion

These initial findings suggest the brain experiences a 'training effect' after 12 weeks of IY training.

References

Cohen DL, Wintering N, Tolles V, Townsend RR, Farrar JT, Galantino ML and Newberg AB. Cerebral blood flow effects of yoga training: preliminary evaluation of 4 cases. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine. 15(1): 9-14. Jan 2009.