The Mindful Brain’s Response to Yoga and Mediation
Have you ever wanted to know how the brain responds during yoga or meditation? Or wondered why people are so drawn to this practice time and time again? There’s a scientific reason for that…and it all starts with the mapping of your brain!
Brain Map
There are 6 main sections of your brain: frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, cerebellum, brain stem, and temporal lobe.
It’s important that we understand the mapping of the brain before we discuss all of the positive benefits of practicing yoga and meditation and how it increases one’s overall cognitive functions.
Let’s Take A Look At The Different Sections
1) Frontal lobe is responsible for abstract thinking, planning, emotional regulation, personality and behavior.
When we are practicing yoga and meditation, this part of the brain allows you to plan, execute and adjust your yoga poses.
2) Parietal lobe cortex controls sensation. This includes touch, pain, temperature, and the sense of limb position.
During a yoga and meditation class, the parietal lobe processes the sensations you feel in downward dog, to the auditory cues you hear from your instructor.
3) Next we have the occipital lobe. The occipital lobes sit at the back of the head and are responsible for visual perception, including color, form and motion.
This portion of the brain allows you to see the color of your mat and your focal point as you are balancing during poses.
4) Sitting close to the brain stem is the cerebellum. The cerebellum is responsible for coordinating voluntary movements. It is also responsible for a number of functions including motor skills such as balance, coordination, and posture.
During a yoga class, this portion of the brain is responsible for muscle memory and involuntarily changing positions without thinking.
5) Next to the cerebellum is the brainstem. This is the lower part of the brain that's connected to the spinal cord (part of the central nervous system in the spinal column). The brainstem is responsible for regulating most of the body's automatic functions that are essential for life. These include: breathing.
AND we all need breathing, especially during mindful practice such as yoga and meditation.
6) Temporal lobe is responsible for processing affect/emotions, language, and certain aspects of visual perception. This part of the brain receives auditory information from the ears and secondary areas, and then processes the information so we understand what we're hearing. (ex: verbal communication, laughing, a baby crying)
You exercise your temporal lobe during a yoga class when you process the sound of your breath, or experience a feeling of triumph as you successfully were able to hold a new challenging position.
Brain’s Response to Yoga and Meditation
Yoga and meditation directly influence our mindfulness and reap great benefits on our brain that go far beyond the mat!
When we practice yoga and meditation, our brain develops neural connections and these neural pathways are responsible for connecting thoughts, sensations, feelings and actions. Similar to getting stronger when we lift weights, when we meditate and practice yoga regularly, our neural connections become strengthened. This positively impacts our ability to think clearly, increasing memory, attention, and self-awareness.
When we are able to develop an inner awareness, we are able to focus our attention on the present moment and our body’s capabilities.
The bottom line is that meditation and yoga can be extremely beneficial for our mental health and well-being, helping us to improve our focus and concentration, uphold a greater level of self-awareness, and achieve mindfulness.
Vibrant Yoga is based in Chicago and serves the Chicagoland area as well as virtually anywhere with practical tools and guidance to individual wellness for a healthier lifestyle. We envision a world where every individual, employee, and business owner has the freedom and resources to maintain vibrant health that positively impacts their mental and physical well-being.
