Under the right conditions, more cells are produced and connect to each other in the brain. One place this occurs is the dentate gyrus, part of the main memory structure in the brain. Researchers at UCSD’s Gage laboratory conducted a study concluding that exercise promotes new brain cell production in the dentate, suggesting that the best learning system should combine exercise and learning.

Studies have found that yoga is just as effective as aerobic exercise. In essence, healthy and good living—enjoyable leisure, socialization, and physical and intellectual stimulation—encourage new brain cell production in the dentate. Since an optimal learning system should aid in not only imparting new information on us, but also in helping develop our bodies and minds as one, it is logical that all learning systems ought to include more exercise in their curricula.