Yoga practices and brain function: A neurocognitive and psychophysiological framework

Yoga-based practices modulate brain function and emotional regulation through a dynamic interaction between top-down control processes and bottom-up interoceptive awareness, synchronizing cortical and subcortical networks. Regular yoga induces structural and functional changes in brain regions such as the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala, enhancing neurocognitive resource efficiency and reducing allostatic load. Psychophysiologically, yoga increases parasympathetic activity, reduces heart rate variability, and improves vagal tone, aligning with polyvagal theory. Long-term practice strengthens resilience via neuroplasticity, reduced stress reactivity, and improved emotion-cognition integration, positioning yoga as embodied cognitive training that bridges contemplative traditions with neuroscience.

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Abstract

Yoga-based practices have been increasingly studied as neurocognitive and psychophysiological interventions capable of modulating brain function and emotional regulation. The proposed framework integrates insights from neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and contemplative traditions to explain how yoga promotes self-regulation and cognitive flexibility. Yoga involves a dynamic interaction between top-down control processes (e.g., attention, executive function) and bottom-up interceptive awareness, facilitating synchronization between cortical and subcortical networks (Gard et al., 2014; Schmalzl et al., 2015). Regular yoga practice induces structural and functional changes in brain regions associated with emotion regulation, attention, and memory-such as the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala-thereby enhancing neurocognitive resource efficiency and reducing allosteric load (Voss et al., 2023; Tiwari, 2025). Psychophysiological, yoga modulates autonomic balance by increasing parasympathetic activity, reducing heart rate variability, and improving vagal tone, aligning with the polyvagal theory’s model of self-regulation (Sullivan et al., 2018). Long-term practice further strengthens resilience through mechanisms involving neuroplasticity, reduced stress reactivity, and improved emotion-cognition integration (Campelo et al., 2025; Pascoe et al., 2021). Collectively, this neurocognitive and psychophysiological framework suggests that yoga operates as an embodied cognitive training that cultivates awareness, emotional balance, and neurobehavioral adaptability-bridging ancient contemplative practices with modern neuroscience.