Arnold Schwarzenegger Reveals Yoga Can ‘Enhance Brain Function, Reduce Stress, and Support Long-Term Cognitive Health’

Arnold Schwarzenegger is always looking for new innovative methods to remain healthy and fit at 77. This led him to discuss the cognitive benefits of yoga in a recent Arnold’s Pump Club Newsletter shared on January 21, 2025. 

Although bodybuilders aren’t exactly known for their flexibility, that trend has changed lately. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a former seven-time Mr. Olympia champion, takes an eclectic approach to fitness, implementing diets, workouts, and healthy habits for a better quality of life. 

He’s far from the only bodybuilding legend swearing by mobility-based routines like yoga. Former six-time Olympia titleholder Dorian Yates has detailed why his Pilates routine has remained one of his most useful practices in retirement. Not only does he credit Pilates for helping him stay mobile and flexible, but he explained that it’s been his secret weapon to avoiding injuries in retirement. 

While Schwarzenegger still trains seven days a week, he makes time for yoga, which offers a wide range of benefits, both physical and mental. Below, he dives into why you might want to include yoga into your routine, especially if you’re after a brain boost to get through the day (or night) depending on your lifestyle. 

Arnold Schwarzenegger Explores Yoga Benefits, Says It Offers Users a ‘Neuroprotective Cocktail’

In his latest newsletter, Schwarzenegger explained that yoga can offer users far more than improved flexibility. He underlined that practicing yoga can enhance brain function, reduce stress, and support long-term cognitive health. 

“The Most Underrated Benefit Of Yoga
If you’ve ever rolled out a yoga mat, you’re doing more than just improving flexibility—you could be rewiring your brain for better cognitive health.

A new study suggests practicing yoga regularly may enhance brain function, reduce stress, and support long-term cognitive health.”

According to researchers, yoga’s combination of physical movement, controlled breathing, and mindfulness help protect the brain. 

“The researchers explained that yoga’s blend of physical movement, controlled breathing, and mindfulness may create a ‘neuroprotective cocktail,’ he shared. While yoga is known for improving fitness and mobility and reducing stress, the researchers took a closer look at brain function.”

From focus, memory, attention, and decision-making skills, yoga can offer users a wide range of cognitive benefits. 

“They found that yoga improves memory, attention, and decision-making skills and increases activity in the parts of the brain that improve focus.”

For older individuals at risk for cognitive decline, yoga lowered their levels of gray matter and inflammation. 

“And that might be the tip of the iceberg. Another study looked at older individuals who were at risk for cognitive decline,” Schwarzenegger shared. “Those who did yoga had less cognitive impairment (compared to those doing memory training) and had lower levels of gray matter and inflammation.”

“The researchers explained that yoga’s blend of physical movement, controlled breathing, and mindfulness may create a “neuroprotective cocktail.” By lowering stress levels and improving oxygen flow to the brain, yoga appears to boost the brain’s plasticity—its ability to adapt, grow, and improve.”

If you’re after any edge you can get for a sharper mind, Schwarzenegger encourages you to try yoga. 

“If you want to feel less overwhelmed or mentally foggy — and protect your mind — try a few poses a few times per week. You might just stretch your way to a sharper, calmer mind that can better fight off the decline you experience with aging.” 

As a bodybuilding icon and crusader for fitness, Schwarzenegger continues to offer his fans and followers unique strategies for improving their quality of life. Regardless of age, it seems yoga can have a profound impact on one’s physical and psychological health. Feel free to give yoga a try for enhanced cognitive benefits! 

RELATED: Recovery Yoga for Lifters: Poses to Relieve Muscle Tightness and Joint Pain

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