Washington, June 11 (ANI): A new study has suggested that doing yoga for as little as 20 minutes may be able to boost your brain power.

Researchers found that subjects who participated in a single yoga session had better speed and accuracy scores on working memory and inhibitory control tests than after they tried an aerobic exercise session of the same length.

These tests are indicative of a person's ability to maintain focus, as well as absorb and remember new information, and aerobic exercises had previously been shown to boost scores in those areas.

In a press release, lead author Neha Gothe, a professor of kinesiology, health and sport studies at Wayne State University in Detroit, explained that Yoga is an ancient Indian science and way of life that includes not only physical movements and postures but also regulated breathing and meditation.

Thought the practice involves an active attentional or mindfulness component, she said, its potential benefits have not been thoroughly explored.

In the study, 30 female undergraduate students were instructed to do a 20-minute session of Hatha yoga, which involved seated, standing and supine positions. The exercises involved relaxing different muscle groups, regulated breathing and isometric contractions, meaning the joint angle or the muscle length does not change during the process. Meditation and deep breathing were also involved.

The subjects were also instructed to complete a 20-minute aerobic exercise where they walked or jogged on a treadmill. The incline and speed was adjusted until the person maintained a 60 to 70 percent maximum heart rate-which had previously been shown to stimulate cognitive abilities in other studies-throughout the session.

But no significant improvements on working memory and inhibitory control scores were seen after the aerobic exercise session.

On the other hand, right after the yoga session people improved their reaction times and accuracy on the tests.

Gothe said that that following yoga practice, it appears that the participants were better able to focus their mental resources, process information quickly, more accurately and also learn, hold and update pieces of information more effectively than after performing an aerobic exercise bout.

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Just 20mins of yoga significantly improves brain function

Are there are any limits to the benefits of yoga? Apparently not as the ancient exercise favoured by celebs has been found to significantly improve brain function after one 20 minute work out.

Researchers at the Wayne State University found that people performed better in cognitive tests for both speed and accuracy after just one 20 minute Hatha yoga session.

'It appears that following yoga practice, the participants were better able to focus their mental resources, process information quickly, more accurately and also learn, hold and update pieces of information more effectively than after performing an aerobic exercise bout,' explained lead researcher Neha Gothe, a professor of kinesiology, health and sport studies.

The small study looked at the performance of 30 female, undergraduate students on cognitive tests after doing a 20 minute yoga session, which included some meditation, and after a 20 minute workout on a treadmill.

The study found the aerobic exercise didn't improve the memory or brain function of those involved, whereas the scores improved after the yoga session.

So why does it work?

The results can be explained by a number of factors.

'The breathing and meditative exercises aim at calming the mind and body and keeping distracting thoughts away while you focus on your body, posture or breath. Maybe these processes translate beyond yoga practice when you try to perform mental tasks or day-to-day activities,' explained Gothe.

Reduced anxiety and stress and an enhanced sense of self-awareness may also contribute to doing better on the cognitive tests.

These celebs are already on the yoga train - are you?

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Just 20 minutes of yoga could help boost your brain power

By The Canadian Press

Yoga-wear retailer Lululemon Athletica Inc. (TSX:LLL.TO - News) has grown by leaps and bounds since its first store opened in Vancouver in 1998, but the company has hit several quality control snags as it struggles to keep shelves stocked.

Meanwhile, skyrocketing demand for Lululemon clothing in the past five years has produce quarterly earnings that consistently impress investors, but has also left some customers empty-handed.

Sept. 28, 2011 RCMP issues a warning against buying counterfeit products after about 100 fake Lululemon items were seized at a house party in Point Edward, Ont.

Dec. 1, 2011 Lululemon's third-quarter profits rise 51 per cent to US$38.8 million and sales jump 31 per cent as CEO Christine Day says "unmet sales demand" was a challenge for its stores.

Jan. 6, 2012 Founder Chip Wilson announces he will resign as chief innovation and branding officer near the end of the month, but remain as chairman.

March 22, 2012 A slate of new products could pressure profits in the first quarter and beyond, Day warns investors, saying the company planned to lower margins and not shuffle the costs down to consumers.

June 7, 2012 Lululemon says after a product shortage the previous year, it now has notably more yoga wear than it can sell, with the value of its inventory rising 67 per cent.

March 18, 2013 Lululemon pulls its hip-hugging black Luon pants from store shelves due to a problem with the sheerness of the material. The recall represents about 17 per cent of its women's bottoms products, and the shortage cuts into sales.

March 21, 2013 The company says it expects to lose between US$12 million and $17 million of revenue in the first quarter because of the recall and that earnings would be reduced by 11 to 12 cents per share.

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A look at recent struggles for yoga retailer Lululemon as its popularity soared

Doing yoga for as little as 20 minutes may be able to boost your brain power.

Subjects who participated in a single yoga session had better speed and accuracy scores on working memory and inhibitory control tests than after they tried an aerobic exercise session of the same length. These tests are indicative of a person's ability to maintain focus, as well as absorb and remember new information, and aerobic exercises had previously been shown to boost scores in those areas.

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"Yoga is an ancient Indian science and way of life that includes not only physical movements and postures but also regulated breathing and meditation," lead author Neha Gothe, a professor of kinesiology, health and sport studies at Wayne State University in Detroit, said in a press release. "The practice involves an active attentional or mindfulness component but its potential benefits have not been thoroughly explored."

According to the 2012 "Yoga in America" market study, 8.7 percent of U.S. adults or 20.4 million people practice yoga in the U.S. About 62.8 percent of American yogis are between 18 and 44, and the vast majority -- 82.2 percent -- are women.

An additional 44.4 percent of Americans consider themselves "aspirational yogis" and want to try yoga sometime in the future.

Thirty female undergraduate students were instructed to do a 20-minute session of Hatha yoga, which involved seated, standing and supine positions. The exercises involved relaxing different muscle groups, regulated breathing and isometric contractions, meaning the joint angle or the muscle length does not change during the process. Meditation and deep breathing were also involved.

The subjects were also instructed to complete a 20-minute aerobic exercise where they walked or jogged on a treadmill. The incline and speed was adjusted until the person maintained a 60 to 70 percent maximum heart rate -- which had previously been shown to stimulate cognitive abilities in other studies -- throughout the session.

However, in this study, after the aerobic exercise session there was no significant improvements on working memory and inhibitory control scores.

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Yoga may improve focus, ability to remember new things

KAILUA, Hawaii, June 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Known around the world for her vibrant, inspiring and fun yoga DVDs and CDs, Wai Lana has just released a brand new musical cartoon DVD for kids. Wai Lana's Fun Songs Cartoons takes children on an animated adventure that features colourful cartoons, catchy songs and trips around the world -- from the top of the Himalayas to fun-filled forests and amazing waterfalls.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130611/PH29600-a) (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130611/PH29600-b)

Adorable Little Yogi characters captivate children's and adults' attention alike with silly antics and songs. With yoga-inspired songs like Balloon Belly, Tree and Rocking Beetle, kids watch and sing along to Wai Lana's uplifting voice.

Many parents today find it's a struggle to find the time to keep children engaged in wholesome activities. Wai Lana's Fun Songs Cartoons provides fun-filled and inspiring entertainment that parents can feel good about.

Rachel Zouner is a mom of a 7-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son who says that Wai Lana's Little Yogis DVD and CDs fill an important need in her family. "I find Wai Lana's Fun Songs Cartoons is just perfect when we need to wind down, for long car rides, when one of the kids is sick or just any time. Recently, the kids got really antsy on a five hour car ride and I was so thankful I had Wai Lana's DVD! It made all the difference between having a difficult trip and a fun one."

Sheri Waterfield works in a day care and has also found Wai Lana's Fun Songs Cartoons is perfect for helping keep kids happy and occupied, while relaxing and learning at the same time. "I was introduced to Wai Lana's Little Yogis DVDs through a friend and I decided to try them out at our day care because -- believe me -- taking care of 15 pre-schoolers at once can be a real challenge! The first time I put on Wai Lana's Fun Songs DVD the kids loved it. They ask for it all the time. I find it helps them to be more peaceful and calm and the other preschool teachers and I really enjoy it too."

The newly-released Cartoon DVD is available on Wai Lana's website, WaiLana.com, which is full of valuable health & yoga tips, delicious recipes and Wai Lana's yoga products for all ages.

Wai Lana has been inspiring people to enjoy the many wonderful benefits of yoga for over 20 years. Tirelessly dedicated to sharing the gift of yoga, she has produced award-winning yoga DVDs and videos for people of all levels, recorded popular yoga music CDs, published books and cookbooks and produced children's yoga DVDs. She has also produced and hosted her popular Wai Lana Yoga TV series which has been viewed by millions of people around the world.

Video:http://youtu.be/hsW3koe-VRQ

Media ContactFiona Fitzgerald Email 800-624-9163

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Yoga Icon Wai Lana Releases New Fun Songs Cartoons DVD for Kids