For the past several decades, the world has seen an exponential growth, interest, and curiosity in mind-body interventions such as yoga, meditation, and Tai Chi. After practicing such disciplines, it doesn’t take long for us to feel physically stronger and experience increased mental clarity. As the saying goes, it does the mind and body good.

It’s commonly known that yoga is good for your body. Combining postures, breathing, and meditation, it only takes a few sessions to see how quickly it can tighten muscles, increase flexibility, and reduce stress. But what effects does yoga have on the brain? New research by Chantal Villemure and Catherine Bushnell of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland, suggest that it actually helps grow parts of your brain.