Yoga and GABA?

[chris hansen]

I was listening to a science show and they talked about a study which found that yoga practice increases the levels of the brain chemical GABA. The study compared the yoga group to a control group who read books for the same amount of time and the control group's GABA levels showed no change. I did a little looking on google and found an article saying that meditation also increases your levels of GABA, along with several other brain chemicals.

I was just wondering if anyone knows about this and can explain how it works? Is it related to becoming more relaxed? What other activities might offer this benefit? Can you get the same effect from practicing FlowFit or swinging Clubbells or going for a walk?

Thanks.