Hi babes! Today, we’re going deep, deep, deep into the recesses of our own mind and body! Specifically, we’re going to talk brain matters about neuroscience and yoga. We’ll be analysing how yoga can improve the neurological function of your brain. You ready? Grab those safety goggles and let’s go!
A word on Neuroscience and Yoga
What is neuroscience?
According to the always helpful Oxford Dictionary, neuroscience is the branch of science that particularly deals with the structure and function of the brain and the nervous system. Our nervous system includes our brain (duh!), the spinal cord and all the nerve endings that spread from it. This field is very relevant to understand how, what and why things make us tick. It also looks at what we can do to improve brain function but more on that in a bit.
What is yoga?
Now let’s take a look at the definition of yoga- oh yes, I’m getting all Science 101 on you today! Yoga is a way of life that when practiced consistently can be used as a medium that grants freedom from suffering. Yoga is important because it ties the body, mind and even our spirit as one yoke. This is achieved through the practice of asanas, breath work and meditation.
Okkkkk…Professor Shannon, what’s the relation between the two? I’m getting there! Here it is:
To transform, we need to reprogram our brain to think and act differently. When it comes to yoga specifically, it can be achieved through two main actions.
- Cultivating a positive state of mind, and
- Helping us to process unpleasant emotions in a healthy way
You still with me? Is that a yes? You’ve not zoned out? Ok, great babes, now let’s dive even deeper.
Yoga Traits and Neuroplasticity
Now, the wonderful thing about yoga is that it transforms our state of mind into a positive presence. This means with consistency, our brain will eventually process this positive state of mind as a personality trait. Ah ha!
To further tie things together, let’s talk about the specific activity that allows this transformation process to take place in our brain. This is done through neuroplasticity (aka brain plasticity). Gone are the days when we believed that brain changes were bounded to early development. Nope. Studies in neuroplasticity shows that our brain can sculpt, change and meet new demands all throughout life. The thing is though, you’ve got to do this through consistency. So here’s the formula:
Transformation equals yoga helping to create a positive state of mind that becomes a trait through consistency. This consistency trains the neurons in our brain to adapt and essentially live a higher quality life.
I can hear my Nobel Science announcement already! Lol. In all seriousness, studies show that over 55 percent of yoga practitioners report improved sleep and over 85 percent report reduced stress. Frequent movement is an important element of sleep hygiene. Moderate exercise several times a week can improve overall sleep. Yoga facilitates all of these habits!
But wait, there’s more! You see yoga practices like meditation also changes our brain’s tissues. According to one Harvard University study,
Meditation group participants reported spending an average of 27 minutes each day practicing mindfulness exercises, and their responses to a mindfulness questionnaire indicated significant improvements compared with pre-participation responses. The analysis of MR images, which focused on brain areas where meditation-associated differences were seen in earlier studies, found increased gray-matter density in the hippocampus, known to be important for learning and memory, and in structures associated with self-awareness, compassion, and introspection.
Isn’t that interesting? I suggest you read the full article because it also speaks to the fact that consistently practicing meditation over an eight-week period can reprogram your brain for the better.
Some Mental Benefits from Practicing Yoga
There’s a plethora of mental benefits from practicing yoga. Here are just a few:
- Reduced stress
- Increased energy
- Mental clarity and calmness
- A more positive mindset
- Improves sleep
- Increased body awareness and appreciate
- Centers attention & sharpens concentration
- Improves learning and cognitive skills
- Builds stronger connection with others around us
- Reduces depression symptoms
I could go on and on and on, but I’ll stop at these ten. To close, here are how the three tenets of yoga benefit you:
- Breath work: conscious breath work impacts the nervous system- parasympathetic system, or relaxation response
- Meditation: practice peaceful states consistently, become traits (easier to access) and allow negative emotions/states to process in a healthy way (positive impact on multiple systems in the body)
- Asanas: reduce stress, improve sleep
This is why I love yoga and I’m so passionate about teaching it to others and being a yoga teacher trainer in our online yoga teacher training program. By helping others learn and grow as professional yogis, I can, in some small way, change the lives of others for the better. I get to leave a positive mark through my work and isn’t that what life’s all about?
See ya next week!
