American Academy For Yoga in Medicine

Yoga and Brain Health: A Path to Mental Clarity

Written by: Dr. Praveen

In our modern era, where stress, screen time, and sedentary lifestyles have become the norm, maintaining optimal brain health is more important than ever. While medications and supplements are often sought for cognitive enhancement, an ancient practice yoga has emerged as a natural, effective, and accessible means of supporting mental well-being and brain function.

Brain waves are rhythmical electrical patterns produced by brain, reflecting different states of consciousness and cognitive activity. Yoga practices encompassing breath control (Pranayama), meditation, and physical postures (asanas) have been shown to modulate brainwave patterns, leading to various cognitive and emotional benefits.

Yoga practice improves autonomic flexibility by modulating parasympathetic dominance and significant changes are found in sensory motor rhythm around the brain. Yoga helps to contribute the amygdale function and increases brain wave activity that is associated with increase in positive mood and perception. Integrated yoga including agnisara, nauli, and bhastrika practice changes the EEG pattern around the somatosensory and parietal areas of the cerebral cortex.

Brain wave

Functions

Yoga practices

Gamma Waves :fastest brain activity

Helps in cognitive functioning, learning, memory, and information processing

Hatha yoga

Yoga protocol- Surya Namaskar

Padmasana, Paschimottanasana,

Padahastasana, Sarvangasana

Vajrasana, Vrikshasana , Shavasana.

Beta Waves: High frequency and low amplitude waves seen in awaken state.

Helps in Logical thinking, conscious focus, memory, and problem solving

Kapalaphati, ujjayi, bhastrika, anuloma viloma, Bhramhari.

 

Alpha waves: Frequency range between beta and theta

Helps in calming down and promote relaxation.

Kapalaphati, ujjayi, bhastrika, anuloma viloma, Bhramhari Pranayama.

Yoga nidra

Theta Waves:

involved in daydreaming and sleep

Helps in creativity, emotional connection, intuition, and relaxation

Breath-holding practices

Bhramhari Pranayama

Yoga nidra

Delta Waves: Slowest brain waves found in infants and young children

 

Helps in deepest levels of relaxation and restorative, healing sleep.

Yoga nidra

 

Reference

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