The Science behind Yoga

 

Yoga is a scientific spiritual discipline dating back some 15,000 years in Tantric roots, its purpose, to unleash the pinnacle of one's potential. In recent times yoga has been extremely popular in the context of fighting stress, anxiety and depression in these times of industrialization and our super-fast lifestyles.

Apart from the spiritual aspects, the physiological benefits acquired from yoga have recent radical scientific understandings to bring an analytical perspective to this ancient inner engineering. Yoga moderates the surge and the production of chemicals in the body that affect us mentally, physically as well as psychosomatically. So, let's take a peek into some of the science behind yoga that makes it so powerful!

 

Moderates Stress Hormones

When our body gets severely stressed, it secretes a hormone called cortisol which keeps us alert in crisis situations, but also disturbs the body functioning in the long term. Yoga reduces the stress level of a person, thus moderating the production of the cortisol hormone and keeping the individual calm.

 

Secretes Antioxidant Enzymes

Repeated exposure to environmental pollutants and metabolic by-products result in the formation of free radicals, which contribute to many diseases including cancer and expedite the aging process. To counteract free radicals, the human body has a powerful internal defense system in the form of antioxidant enzymes. The levels of antioxidant enzymes were found to be significantly higher in people practicing yoga, thus enhancing the defense against free radical damage.

 

Stimulates Parasympathetic Nervous System

Yoga actually stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which calms us down and restores balance after a major stress is over. When the parasympathetic nervous system switches on, blood is directed toward endocrine glands, digestive organs, and other organs, thus reducing the heartbeat rate and lowering the blood pressure.

 

Improves Immunity Function

This is attributed to the fact that yoga reduces cortisol hormone. Too much of cortisol can dampen the effectiveness of the immune system by immobilizing our defense system in the body (WBC). Yoga moderates the production of cortisol, thus boosting immunity.

 

Cures Addiction

Dopamine, a chemical in the brain that gives one contentment during a high on ones drug of choice is generated naturally by doing yoga. Thus, the craving for that level of contentment from addiction is no longer manifested. Yoga can give one the same level of dopamine high or contentment, thus cutting out the craving of addiction.

 

Enlarges the Brain

After conducting MRI scans, scientists have discovered that people practicing yoga have more gray matter (brain cells) than the non-practitioners do. It was found that with more hours of practice per week, certain areas were more enlarged – a finding that hints that yoga was a contributing factor to the bigger brain size.

Yogis have larger brain volume in the regions that contain mental mapping of our body, involved in directing attention, critical to dampening stress, and areas key to our concept of the self.

 

Helps Stay in the Present

Yoga makes one attentive to the present moment and gives more awareness towards negative thoughts and the ability to let go of them for the sake of self-preservation.

 

Yoga Mudras

Yoga mudras are postures of the hand that stimulate certain parts of the brain and body. Strangely enough, it has been observed that babies perform mudras on their own subconsciously.

Adi mudra: A newborn baby has its thumb tucked inside its palm and the other fingers wrapped around it into a fist. This is the adi mudra that relaxes the nervous system, improves flow of blood to the head and increases the capacity of the lungs.

Chin mudra: When a baby sleeps, the tip of its forefinger touches the tip of the thumb and all the other fingers are extended. This is the chin mudra that improves sleep pattern, increases energy in the body and alleviates lower backache.

Merudanda mudra: When a baby sucks its thumb, the thumb points upward and fingers are rolled. This is the merudanda mudra that energizes the middle-section of the body.

While yoga may look like just a couple of body-bending exercises to the normal eye, a lot goes on under the skin when you twist your limbs and consciously breathe. Also, yoga is not just a set of asanas that one performs on the mat, but rather a way of life. With a healthy body and calm mind, one is bound to live a happier and stress-free life. Sounds good? But do not be in a hurry to get into a difficult looking pose just yet. Ensure that you learn yoga under a certified professional teacher and practice regularly to gain long-term benefits!

Article from artofliving.org

 

 

Much Love,

Juliane

 

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Comments

[Ava]

This yoga article is really amazing !! Thanks for sharing this with us :)

[Juliane]

Hi Ava!

You are so welcome :) Thank you for sharing your lovely comment. Stop by often and feel free to share your questions, comments and insights anytime!

Live Beautifully!

Much Love,
Juliane

[Dr Christian Farthing]

Great post! Yoga does amazing things to body!

[Juliane]

Dear Dr. Christian,

Thank you for your kind words! So happy you enjoyed. Look forward to seeing back at StyleNectar again soon!

Live Beautifully!

Much love,
Juliane