Memory Gloss

5 ways to boost your grey matter with yoga. By Eryn Kirkwood

Memory Gloss

I had the great fortune to spend time with not one but two grandmothers. These two remarkable ladies were as different as black and white, sugar and spice, in all things imaginable. One’s junk drawer was meticulously organised, the other’s a mad scramble of old elastics, rusted thimbles, scrap paper, and half-eaten gum.

To this day, my 94-year-old grandmother is quick as a whip. I’m not exaggerating when I say her memory is far better than mine (which reminds me: I’m due to give her a call!). She is my go-to source for family birthdays and events and won’t let you forget for a moment if you owe her a visit. I used to think it was the vodka-OJs that kept her young, but since rounding the corner towards her mid-90s, grandma has laid off the screwdrivers, and she continues to shock us with her mental prowess.

One of the biggest differences between my grandmas was their approach to ‘remembering’. If something ‘slipped the mind’ of Grandma A, her response was “It’ll come back to me”. Grandma K, on the other hand, refuses to let anything go. Like a fierce sergeant, she orders an army of ‘brain cells’ to the exclusive task of recalling the name, date, or detail she’s forgotten – and doesn’t give up until it’s tracked down. Little does grandma know, she’s doing ‘abdominal crunches’ for her brain! Just like any muscle, you have to work your brain to keep it healthy and strong. Yoga is one way to do this.

Scientists have come a long way in understanding what works to improve brain function. And some of them say that yoga helps – with its unique combination of exercise, meditation, relaxation, and focus. Current research cites stress as a major contributor to memory loss and even Alzheimer’s disease. Yoga, of course, is a natural antidote to stress.

Yoga for reducing stress and boosting memory:

1. Paschimottanasana (seated forward fold) stretches the entire length of the spine and calms the mind, reducing stress.
2. Inversions, such as legs-up-the-wall pose, soothe the nervous system and help to improve blood flow to the brain. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain, thereby increasing cognitive function.
3. Simple stretches, like uttanasana (standing forward bend), keep joints supple, prevent stiffness, calm the mind and improve circulation throughout the body (including the brain!).
4. The physical coordination required in a yoga class, both within the postures, but also of breath and movement, train the brain to focus for a sustained time. Attending classes with someone passionate about the fine details (for example, me
   and my passion for anatomy!) emphasise this benefit.
5. Surya namaskar (sun salutations) absolutely qualify as an aerobic exercise. Studies have long shown the benefits of cardiovascular training on
   brain health.

So there you have it, five simple and enjoyable ways to do yoga and boost brain health at the same time! Now, where did I leave last month’s copy of OM magazine?

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