Most men are too embarrassed to do yoga…
But if you care about your brain health you probably should.
We get it… Yoga is dominated by women. It feels uncomfortable being outnumbered in a room filled with soft cushions, strange smells, and mystical music.
But it’s one of the best things you can do for both your body and mind. You most likely know about the physical benefits of yoga: flexibility, strength, and stability.
But yoga’s cognitive boosting power is not talked about nearly as much. And this is something any man can get on board with.
How degrading is it to walk into a room and forget why you’re there?
Or to be constantly misplacing your keys?
Or what about being in a “conversation” where you find yourself smiling and agreeing with everything like an idiot?
Your brain just doesn’t seem to reach the RPMs to arrive at the right words like it used to. It’s easy to chalk it up to aging, but who are we kidding…
We all know guys decades older than us who are sharper than ever. And you’ve heard all the generic advice on brain health…
Go outside, work out, practice gratitude, meditate, etc. All very good things. But why not use every tool in the toolbox? Based on MRI studies, it turns out that yoga offers similar brain-enhancing benefits to aerobic exercises. [R]
Basically, the areas of the brain essential for planning, decision-making, multitasking, thinking about your options, and picking the right option, are physically LARGER in regular yoga practitioners.
These areas include the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex.
All of which otherwise naturally shrink with age.
Think you’re up for it? Don’t knock it till you try it.
Hit up a local yoga studio this week, and don’t worry about being one of the only guys there.
It might feel awkward at first, but we assure you the physical and mental benefits are more than worth it.