BIOLOGICAL BASES OF MEDITATION & YOGA THERAPY

by: Innocence Branch

Image Credit:http://mladzema.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/259958_226823254114725_1442061891_n.jpg

Biological Bases of Behavior

Dr. Jamie L. ReedTennessee State University

Fall 2014

–Herbert Benson

“Meditation is a conscious mental process that induces a set of integrated physiologic changes termed the “relaxation response”

Meditation & Yoga Benefits

"The relaxation response (from meditation & yoga) helps decrease metabolism, lowers blood pressure, and improves heart rate, breathing, and brain waves,”(Herbert Benson, MD, 2014).

Heart Health: Regular practice has been shown to significantly help high blood pressure over time.

Immune Booster: Meditation also helps ward off illness and infections.

Your Brain on Meditation

Significant signal increases were observed in the dorsolateral prefrontal and parietal cortices, hippocampus/parahippocampus, temporal lobe, pregenual anterior cingulate cortex, striatum, and pre- and post-central gyri during meditation indicating that meditation activates neural structures involved in attention and control of the autonomic nervous system (Neuroreport, 2000 May 15;11(7):1581-5.)

Attenuation

Attention Association Area (AAA) in the right hemisphere is activated

Eventually spreads to AAA in left hemisphere

Deactivation of the surrounding areas in the frontal lobes

Any burst of activity in these areas indicates the presence of random thoughts

Neurological Effects of Meditation

Increase in GABA

Decreases stimuli arriving at frontal lobe

Enhances focus

Decreased activity in Orientation Association Area (OAA) in right parietal lobe

Right parietal lobe normally mediates our sense of space

Decreased activity results in the meditation of a felt sense of wholeness

image credit:http://www.meditation-mp3.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/brainparts.jpg

the ExperienceThe hippocampus:

• Conveys the emotional significance of the experience

• Imprints long-term memory

• Activates the right lateral amygdala

The amygdala:

• Confers emotional significance to the lack of incoming sensory information during meditation

• Influences the hypothalamus

a Matter of Bio…

The ventromedial hypothalamus:

• Activates the parasympathetic nervous system

• Relaxation

• Bliss

• Profound quiescence

Activity eventually spills over from the right hemisphere into the left hemisphere:

• Left and right parietal areas (OAA) are then switched off

• Correlated with the dissolution of the self/non-self boundary

Yin & YangActivity in the left hemisphere:

• Eventually activates the sympathetic nervous system

• Arousal

• Alertness

• Clarity

The resulting simultaneous activation of the parasympathetic (Yin) and sympathetic (Yang) nervous systems mediates:

• Stability

• Equanimity

• Shamatha

• Spiritual experiences

PHYSIOLOGICAL BENEFITS

Improved general health, posture, muscle tone, sleep, immunity and pain tolerance Weight normalizes Stable autonomic nervous system Increased cardio-respiratory efficiency, musculoskeletal flexibility, range of joint movement, physical endurance, strength and energy levels Decreased HR,BP,RR and EMG activity Normalizes GIT and endocrine function

BIOCHEMICAL EFFECTS

BIOCHEMICAL PROFILE IMPROVES (INDICATING AN ANTI STRESS & ANTI OXIDANT EFFECT)- IMPORTANT IN THE PREVENTION OF DEGENERATIVE DISORDERS

Strike A Pose…

Many yoga poses are a form of isometric strengthening exercise, (involving the contraction of muscles without moving the joints).

Isometric exercises- often used in physical therapy for the rehabilitation of injured joints.

PSYCHOMOTOR BENEFITS

Increased – Grip Strength, Dexterity, Fine Skills

Improved – Eye-hand Coordination – Reaction Time – Depth Perception – Steadiness and Balance – Integrated Functioning of Body Parts

BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES AFTER YOGA PRACTICE

DECREASED: GLUCOSE, SODIUM, CHOLESTEROL, TRIGLYCERIDES, LDL, VLDL, CATECOLAMINES, WBC

INCREASED: HDL, ATP, HEMATOCRIT, Hb, LYMPHOCYTES, THYROXIN ,VIT, C Sr PROTEIN

Why Yoga is Good for Health

Yoga helps to normalize all functions of our digestive system such as ingestion, digestion, absorption, assimilation and excretion.

Yoga reduces the effects of menopause’s hormonal changes by balancing the endocrine system.

In Summary…prolonged yoga & meditation therapy:

Lowers stress & improves your general mood

Boosts confidence

Lowers the risk of injury

Helps you lose weight

Increases flexibility

Improves muscle tone & strength

Benefits breathing & lowers blood pressure

Improves posture

Creditshttp://foodmatters.tv/images/boost_brain_power1.jpg

Hypothalamus image courtesy of Life Science Databases.

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/meditation/overview.htm

Meditation quote credit: Herbert Benson, MD, 2014.

Neuroreport, 2000 May 15;11(7):1581-5.