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Category: Autonomic Nervous System

Managing Migraine Symptoms through Yoga Therapy (Part 2 – Migraine)

Managing Migraine Symptoms through Yoga Therapy (Part 2 – Migraine)

In our previous post, we covered the root cause, potential triggers, and some lifestyle changes for migraines. In this post, we plan to cover the management of migraine symptoms – primarily the headache. The poses suggested in this post are known to alleviate the symptoms if done correctly under the guidance of an experienced Yoga therapist. All the poses are based on Iyengar Yoga. As mentioned in the earlier post, migraine is a secondary manifestation of the primary disorder, which…

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The link between Breath and Nervous System – Foundation of Pranayama

The link between Breath and Nervous System – Foundation of Pranayama

In this post, we will discuss the link between the breath and mind – which forms the foundation of Pranayama, the fourth limb of Ashtang Yoga (Ashtang means 8 limbs in Sanskrit) as formulated by the Lord Patanjali in his Yoga Sutra. There are different schools of thought in defining the mind. According to Yogic texts, the mind is the awareness of consciousness. The consciousness is itself is an unexplored subject when it comes to neuroscience. Hence, for simplicity, we…

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Neurotransmitters and Diseases – Neuroscience Perspective

Neurotransmitters and Diseases – Neuroscience Perspective

There are approximately 80 billion neurons in the human nervous system interconnected through trillions of synapses. These neurons communicate with one another, and with muscle cells and gland cells, by releasing chemical messengers called “Neurotransmitters”. These neurotransmitters are involved in countless functions of the nervous system and in controlling bodily functions. They play a major role in the functioning of the body in everyday life. There are also other chemicals in the body called “Hormones” that are produced by the…

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Somatic Nervous System and Cranial Nerves

Somatic Nervous System and Cranial Nerves

The Nervous System is a huge subject. Covering it in a few blog posts is very difficult. Still, we will try to give an overview – particularly covering the points that are of interest from the perspective of Yoga. In this post, we will cover the “Somatic Nervous System” – a part of the nervous system. A few readers may find it too technical. If so, they can skip the initial part and go directly to “Yoga and Cranial Nerves”….

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Yoga Therapy for Insomnia – Based on Neuroscience Understanding

Yoga Therapy for Insomnia – Based on Neuroscience Understanding

This is the next post in the series on sleep disorders. So far, we covered the importance of sleep, neuroscience brain waves, sleep stages, healthy sleep habits, and types and causes of Insomnia. In this post let’s see how Yoga (Yogasana and Pranayama) can be used as a therapy for insomnia. Please note that this information is not a health or medical advice. Always consult a qualified medical professional or qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about…

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Understanding Insomnia from a Neuroscience Perspective

Understanding Insomnia from a Neuroscience Perspective

Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder and the third most frequent health complaint worldwide – pain and headache being the first two. So far, in the series of posts related to sleep, we covered the importance of sleep, neuroscience brain waves, sleep stages and healthy sleep habits. In this post, we will cover the causes of insomnia from a neuroscience perspective. The next post will be a continuation of this one and will elaborate on why yoga helps alleviate…

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Simple Habits for Relaxing and Rejuvenating Sleep – Neuroscience Yoga

Simple Habits for Relaxing and Rejuvenating Sleep – Neuroscience Yoga

Good quality sleep is vital to the health of the body and mind. Long term sleep deficiency or irregular sleep is known to carry significant health risks. So far, in a series of three posts related to sleep, we covered the importance of sleep, the brain waves and stages of sleep from a neuroscience perspective. In this post, we will cover some simple habits to help you get a relaxing and rejuvenating sleep. There is nothing more rewarding than awakening refreshed…

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Neuroscience Evidence of Benefits of Yoga on Brain Health

Neuroscience Evidence of Benefits of Yoga on Brain Health

A recent study conducted by the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign and Wayne State University indicates that Yoga has a positive effect on the structure and function of key brain areas associated with memory. The findings provide evidence that yoga may hold promise in mitigating the age-related and neurodegenerative decline. The practice of Yoga originated and developed over many thousands of years by sages in ancient India, is known to have a positive effect on body and mind. Yoga…

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Brain Waves – A Neuroscience Measure of State of Mind

Brain Waves – A Neuroscience Measure of State of Mind

In our previous post, we covered the Neuroscience perspective of the importance of sleep, and what happens when we sleep. Before we discuss the next topics on sleep i.e. the stages of sleep and how Yoga helps in improving quality sleep, it is important to understand the neuroscience of brain waves – a measurable indicator of the state of mind. Our brain has approximately 80 to 100 billion neurons, which communicate with each other by transmitting electrical impulses through neural…

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