Curious Minds: How Yoga and Meditation Spark Brain Health After 45

Written by Jackie Paunil, Creator of the Young Heart Yoga App, E-RYT, RPYT, CHC, MFA

Empowering older adults to move, breathe, and thrive with grace and vitality.

Remember when curiosity was considered a youthful trait? Surprise! It’s actually a midlife and senior superpower—and it’s scientifically backed. As we age, the right kind of curiosity can help us navigate change, enhance memory, and even support brain longevity. And guess what? Yoga and meditation are perfect companions in that process.

The Science of Staying Curious

In a recent Big Think article, neuroscientist Dr. Anaïs Le Cunff explains that curiosity is not just an emotional itch—it’s a neurological shift. When we approach uncertainty with curiosity, our brains begin to rewire, forming new connections and adapting more flexibly to change (Le Cunff, 2024). Think of it as updating your brain’s software for the next chapter of life.

Even more encouraging? A recent study shared in the New York Post found that older adults with higher levels of specific curiosity—interest in particular ideas or skills—demonstrated a significantly lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia (Castel & Whatley, 2025). That’s right: curiosity doesn’t just feel good, it might also help protect your brain.

Yoga and Meditation: Tools for a Curious Brain

Enter yoga and meditation—two practices tailor-made to nurture curiosity and neuroplasticity. In a 2009 neuroimaging study, long-term meditation was linked to larger volumes of gray matter in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, regions associated with memory and self-awareness (Luders et al., 2009).

Meditation, especially mindfulness-based styles, helps you observe thoughts and sensations without judgment—an inherently curious state of being. Over time, this strengthens your brain’s ability to process information with greater clarity and less reactivity (Holzel et al., 2011; Lazar et al., 2005). Practicing yoga also enhances functional brain connectivity, especially in older adults, supporting better emotional regulation and executive functioning (Gard et al., 2015).

Practical Ways to Cultivate Curiosity After 45

1. Start Small, Stay Playful

   Pick up a new hobby, try a new recipe, or join a book club. Curiosity thrives on novelty—no need to climb Everest.

   
   

2. Explore Through Movement

   Yoga invites you to notice—how you feel, how you move, and how you breathe. That noticing is curiosity in motion.

   
   

3. Be Present to Possibility

   Meditation sharpens awareness and helps you meet each moment with open-mindedness. Ten minutes a day is a great place to begin.

   
   

4. Ask Questions Daily

   A curious mind is a questioning mind. Even asking, “What’s new in my body today?” during a stretch fosters brain engagement.

Final Thoughts

Curiosity isn’t something we outgrow—it evolves. When we embrace the gentle gifts of yoga and the grounding power of meditation, we create fertile ground for curiosity to flourish. We become not only more adaptable but more alive.

So go ahead, stay curious. Your brain will thank you.

Ready to explore? Download the Young Heart Yoga App today—where curiosity meets movement, mindfulness, and a whole lot of heart.

About the Author

Jackie Paunil is a published author, wellness advocate, and creator of the Young Heart Yoga App, designed for active and older adults seeking balance, vitality, and mindfulness. With certifications including E-RYT, RPYT, CHC, and an MFA, Jackie combines her extensive training and life experience to inspire others to live with purpose and wellness.

Residing on a ranch in Casa Grande, Arizona, Jackie leads an organic lifestyle surrounded by animals she adores. She is a devoted wife, mother, proud “GiGi” to her grandchildren, and a world traveler who has explored the depths as a master scuba diver. Her in-person yoga and meditation classes, alongside her app, reflect her passion for helping others thrive. Jackie's teaching philosophy is grounded in her own holistic practices, empowering students to embrace sustainable, joyful movement and mindfulness for a more vibrant life.

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References

• Castel, A., & Whatley, M. (2025, May 9). Older people with this trait may lower their dementia risk: study. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2025/05/09/health/older-people-with-this-trait-may-lower-their-dementia-risk-study/

• Gard, T., Taquet, M., Dixit, R., Holzel, B. K., Dickerson, B. C., & Lazar, S. W. (2015). Greater widespread functional connectivity of the caudate in older adults who practice kripalu yoga and vipassana meditation than in controls. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 9, 137. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2015.00137

• Holzel, B. K., Carmody, J., Vangel, M., Congleton, C., Yerramsetti, S. M., Gard, T., & Lazar, S. W. (2011). Mindfulness practice leads to increases in regional brain gray matter density. Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, 191(1), 36–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pscychresns.2010.08.006

• Lazar, S. W., Kerr, C. E., Wasserman, R. H., Gray, J. R., Greve, D. N., Treadway, M. T., ... & Fischl, B. (2005). Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness. NeuroReport, 16(17), 1893–1897. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.wnr.0000186598.66243.19

• Le Cunff, A.-L. (2024, May 12). How curiosity rewires your brain for change. Big Think. https://bigthink.com/smart-skills/how-curiosity-rewires-your-brain-for-change/

• Luders, E., Toga, A. W., Lepore, N., & Gaser, C. (2009). The underlying anatomical correlates of long-term meditation: Larger hippocampal and frontal volumes of gray matter. NeuroImage, 45(3), 672–678. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2008.12.061