Kundalini Yoga: Preventing Alzheimer's with Kundalini yoga

A recent UCLA Health study sheds light on Kundalini yoga’s benefits for older women at risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Published in Translational Psychiatry, the research reveals that this form of yoga not only enhances cognition and memory but also revitalizes neural pathways, mitigates brain matter decline, and reverses aging and inflammation biomarkers.

Unlike participants in a standard memory training group, those engaged in Kundalini yoga experienced significant cognitive and neurobiological improvements. This breakthrough highlights yoga’s potential in mitigating Alzheimer’s risks, particularly among women, who are more susceptible to the disease due to factors like longer life expectancy and hormonal changes.

Kundalini yoga combines physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation to harmonize physiological and cognitive processes. The study, led by Helen Lavretsky and her team, recruited postmenopausal women aged 50 or older with subjective cognitive decline and cardiovascular risk factors. Participants were randomly assigned to either Kundalini yoga or memory enhancement training groups.

Over 12 weeks, the Kundalini yoga group attended weekly sessions led by certified instructors and practiced daily at home. Meanwhile, the memory training group focused on verbal and visual association techniques. Assessments conducted at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks measured cognitive functions, subjective memory, mood, resilience, and quality of life.

Results showed significant memory improvement and subjective memory enhancement in the Kundalini yoga group. Additionally, gene expression associated with aging and inflammation was reversed, indicating broader biological benefits beyond cognitive functions. The study highlighted Kundalini yoga’s feasibility and safety, with high adherence and minimal adverse effects.

However, the study noted no changes in anxiety, depression, stress, or resilience, possibly due to the participants’ initial mental well-being. Lavretsky suggested combining yoga and memory training for comprehensive cognitive benefits. Despite promising findings, limitations like the modest sample size and short duration were acknowledged, emphasizing the need for further research.

In conclusion, Kundalini yoga presents a holistic approach to combating Alzheimer’s risks and promoting healthy aging among older women. Its cognitive and immunological benefits underscore its potential as a viable intervention strategy. As research continues, integrating yoga and memory training could offer synergistic effects for cognitive health and Alzheimer’s prevention.

_{Repurposed article originally published in Psypost}