According to researchers, three sessions of yoga for a week can protect the brain from depression.

Scientists say that while exercising, the level of a chemical named amino acid GABA increases in the brain, which helps in relaxing the mind.

Scientists also found that the level of the chemical is much higher in those who perform yoga as compared to those who do conventional exercises like walking.

It is said that power yoga can burn as many as 237 calories in one session.

As per the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, low level of GABA chemical causes depression and other common anxiety disorders.

For the study, two groups were chosen for a 12-week study. One group practiced yoga and the other group did regular walking.

Before the study, the participants’ brain mapping was done using magnetic resonance spectroscopic (MRS) imaging.

At 12 weeks, a comparison was done for the GABA levels in both groups before and after their final 60-minute sitting.

The first group, who did yoga showed decreased level of depression and anxiety and improved mood than the other group.

As per Professor Chris Streeter, “Over time, positive changes in these reports were associated with climbing GABA levels”. He further said that yoga therapy can be used to treat many mental disorders.