Study Finds Correlation Between Positive Mood and Yoga

Many forms of exercise have been linked to an inherent ability to decrease stress and improve overall mood and outlook. Now, findings from a recent study suggest that yoga may be a superior form of exercise when weighed against certain others for its positive effects on overall outlook and anxiety.

Conducted by researchers at the Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), the focal point of the study centered on brain gamma-aminobutyric (GABA) levels, a regulator of neuron excitability in the central nervous system. Specifically, findings from other recent industry studies have revealed that low levels of GABA are associated with depression and other common anxiety disorders.

The BUSM study compared the fluctuation in GABA levels of participants who participated in yoga to that of participants who exercised by walking. Findings concluded that yoga participants had increased levels of GABA.

Participants were also asked to describe their mental state several times throughout the study, and those practicing yoga regularly noted greater improvement with mood and anxiety compared to those who walked. (MORE)

Source: Psych Central