Biological Bases of Yoga and Meditation Therapy Presentation
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Transcript of Biological Bases of Yoga and Meditation Therapy Presentation
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.