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Category: Pranayama

The link between Breath and Nervous System – Foundation of Pranayama

The link between Breath and Nervous System – Foundation of Pranayama

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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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Adho Mukha Virasana Insomnia Yoga Chikitsa Neuroscience
Yoga Therapy for Insomnia – Based on Neuroscience Understanding

Yoga Therapy for Insomnia – Based on Neuroscience Understanding

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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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Simple Habits for Relaxing and Rejuvenating Sleep – Neuroscience Yoga

Simple Habits for Relaxing and Rejuvenating Sleep – Neuroscience Yoga

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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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Understanding the Basics of Breathing from a Neuroscience Perspective

Understanding the Basics of Breathing from a Neuroscience Perspective

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Through this post let’s understand the basics of breathing. This will help the readers with future posts, where we will cover the influence of breathing in Yogasana and Pranayama techniques on high-level functions from a Neuroscience perspective. In Yogic texts, the mind is considered the master of the body (senses), and the breath is considered the master of the mind. Neuroscience now has evidence of this link between the body, mind, and breath. Now it is known that our breath…

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Yoga Stimulates Vagus Nerve to Induce Relaxation Response – a key to Emotional Health

Yoga Stimulates Vagus Nerve to Induce Relaxation Response – a key to Emotional Health

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Vagus Nerve is the largest cranial nerve in the body. It starts at the base of the skull and runs throughout the whole body. It plays a central role in your emotional and physical health. It directly influences the nervous system – particularly the Parasympathetic branch of the Autonomic Nervous System (covered in a previous post). Our breath, heart rate, and digestion — as well as our overall ability to experience the world (particular how to handle the stress in…

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Neuroscience Evidence of Pranayama – Influence of Breath over Mind

Neuroscience Evidence of Pranayama – Influence of Breath over Mind

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Neuroscience is now discovering what Yogic science has known for many millennia – the influence of breath over the mind. Verse 29 in Chapter 4 of ancient yogic text called “Hatha Yoga Pradipika” says: इन्द्रियाणां मनो नाथो मनोनाथस्तु मारुतः । मारुतस्य लयो नाथः स लयो नादमाश्रितः हठयोग प्रदीपिका (अध्याय ४, श्लोक २९) Indriyānām mano nātho manonāthastu mārutahMārutasya layo nāthah sa layo nādamāśritah Hatha Yoga Pradipika (Chapter 4, Verse 29) The meaning of the verse goes like this – “The Mind (मन) is…

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