Demystifying the Science of Yoga: An Accessible View of Mind-Body Synchrony
Neuroscience behind Yoga Practice
Demystifying the Science of Yoga: An Accessible View of Mind-Body Synchrony
Yoga, a practice that links breath and body movements, offers more than merely a means to stretch and strengthen the body. Engaging both your mind and body, Yoga activates a symphony of interconnected actions from a neurophysiological perspective. Here's a simplified, easy-to-follow format that unravels what happens in your body and brain during Yoga.
Setting the Intention
Every yoga practice begins in the decision-making center of your brain. You consciously align your breath with your movement and cultivate a deeper intention or saṅkalpa. A saṅkalpa in Yoga is a resolve or commitment supporting our highest truth. It could be a personal goal like developing more patience, finding clarity in a difficult situation, or inviting more joy into your life. This dual intention - one for your practice and one for your life - sets the tone for your yoga session.
Planning the Action
Next, the brain sections that handle planning and initiating movement kick in; they work out the timing and sequence of voluntary actions to execute the intended movements.
Moving Your Body
With the plan in place, your brain's movement center sends instructions down your spinal cord to the muscles involved, prompting them to contract and initiate the planned movement. Although it may sound like a lot, the transition from 'planning' to 'moving' occurs within a fraction of a second. The signal transmission from the brain to the muscles can take anywhere from 20 to 100 milliseconds, contingent upon which body part you're moving, your familiarity with the movement, and its complexity.
Sensing and Adjusting
As you move, your body feeds information back to the sensing part of your brain about the position and movement of your body parts. This feedback enables your brain to fine-tune your movements, promoting smooth and coordinated actions.
This process happens rapidly. The signal from the sensory organs back to the brain can travel up to 120 meters/second. That means it can reach the brain in less than ten milliseconds for parts of the body close to the brain (like the face) and about 20 milliseconds for areas further away (like the foot). Once in the brain, another 20 milliseconds or so may be necessary to process and utilize the sensory information to adjust the ongoing movement. These are rough estimates, and the timing can vary based on many factors.
Side Angle Pose in a chair
Controlling Your Breathing
As these processes unfold, another integral aspect of Yoga enters - breathing. The part of your brain controlling your breathing adjusts the rate and depth of your breaths. This adjustment can be influenced when you consciously change your breathing, as often occurs during a yoga practice. When you synchronize your breath with your movements, you switch from automatic to conscious breathing and enter the gateway to control your mind.
Synchronizing Breath and Movement
As the dance of breath and movement continues, your brain combines the two, creating a soothing rhythm for the nervous system. This synchronization is crucial for mind-body connectivity.
Increasing Mindfulness and Relaxation
Maintaining focus on coordinating your breath and movement can lead to a more mindful state. This mental focus can lower activity in the brain area associated with stress and anxiety, thereby fostering feelings of relaxation and stress relief.
Releasing Feel-Good Chemicals
Physical movement and controlled breathing in Yoga may stimulate the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and endorphins. These feel-good chemicals enhance mood and promote a sense of well-being.
Navigating through some neurophysiological processes during Yoga practice is an extraordinary testament to the mind-body interaction. From setting intentions to executing movements, sensing adjustments, controlling breathing, synchronizing actions, and promoting relaxation, the process constitutes a continual dance between your brain and body. Even though these stages occur almost simultaneously, each significantly enhances your physical and mental well-being. Understanding the science behind your yoga practice can enrich your experience and heighten your awareness of every movement's extraordinary complexity and beauty. Remember, Yoga isn't just about the postures you achieve; it's about tuning into this intricate synchrony and appreciating the remarkable capabilities of your body and mind.
