by Mala Cunningham, PhD and C-IAYT
New brain imaging technologies now enable scientists to see directly into our brain. As such, we can now more easily understand and observe how mindfulness, meditation & yoga practices impact on our neurobiology and neurochemistry.
Research has established that practicing yoga and mindfulness enhances resiliency, optimism, self-regulation, health status and mood states. With advances in brain imaging technology such as f-MRI’s and Q-EEG’s, we have been able to see more clearly what is happening in the brain and discern how various neuropathways and structures of the brain respond to different yoga and mindfulness practices.
In general, the practice of yoga and mindfulness empowers us to make changes in our lifestyle and allows for compromised systems to heal. It also helps us to manage our stress and to improve emotional and psychological dysregulation. When we understand the correlation of the vagus nerve and the autonomic nervous system to the yoga practices we then have the capacity to more fully impact on healing and health. Understanding the yoga practices through the lens of neuroscience allows for a more broad-based conceptualization of yoga and to understand more deeply how and why yoga works. In this YouTube Video, Dr. Cunningham explains and shares information on the intersection of the yoga practices with our neurobiology — and how we can impact on creating higher levels of vagal tone in our system leading to a more balanced, peaceful and healthy body and mind.
For more information on Dr. Mala’s work please visit her website at: www.cardiacyoga.com
To take Dr. Mala’s online course on Neuroscience, Yoga, and Mindfulness go to: hersha.teachable.com.
For the link to the YouTube lecture click here:
M. Mala Cunningham, PhD
Clinical Assist. Prof., Univ. of VA School of Nursing
Co-Director – Medical Yoga – Univ. of VA
Licensed Prof. Counselor
President – Positive Health Solutions
Founder & Director – Cardiac Medical Yoga
Website: www.cardiacyoga.com
Tel: 434-296-7100