The Healing Art + Science

The Science

At Sacred Story we recognise that science often tails behind what is actually experienced. The philosophy and embodiment of yoga allows the practices to penetrate layers of our being that science as yet can not record. Bearing this in mind here is an introduction to some basic physiology + science with links to recent studies of what science has so far been able to record.

Over the past decade scientific research on the multitude of positive affects yoga + meditation have on the body/mind has substantially risen. Programs are being continually implemented for use with in our health care systems + schools.

For any long term practitioner of yoga this is of no surprise!

There is growing acknowledgment that the stress we generate effects cellular make-up, there is increasing education on poly vagal theory, clearer understanding of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and vast knowledge of the various brain functions that together contribute to the human experience. With these aspects in mind it is increasingly easy to understand why yoga and meditation are so effective on our systems.

For example our breathing rhythms send direct messages communicating whether or not we are ‘safe’. This message received and repeatedly directly effects which aspect of the ANS is to be dominant i.e. the fight flight response (our sympathetic nervous system/SNS) or our rest and digest response (the parasympathetic nervous system/PNS).

When our rest + digest response (PNS) is regularly active we are equipping the body the necessary environment to replenish! This supports digestive function, sleep, hormone regulation and a whole lot more and allowing better overall function of the whole body.

The fight flight response or stress response (SNS) on the other hand uses this replenished ‘stock’. This is an incredible support to being able to escape danger however day to day we only need it a little so as we can achieve our daily responsibilities.

It’s problematic that in our culture the stress response is continually being triggered therefore depleting our systems. Anxiety is common and other poor health side effects are increasing all the time. Accumulative stress leads to inflammation and if not remedied can lead to chronic inflammation which if not addressed can lead to disease.

In general, high levels of stress are rife in our communities due to the constant bombardment of distressing news and pressures to stay afloat. This does not even take into account personal devastations and the effects of trauma.

This accumulation of stress/trauma affects many areas of our life including our ability to relate to ourselves and to others by shutting down the more advanced part of the brain leading to binary or ‘black and white’ thinking. This makes it challenging to make healthy and more reasonable choices.

Queue Yoga. Yoga when practiced well offers an excellent method to calming the stress response through regulating breathing patterns, toning the vagus nerve (link below on poly vagal theory) and stimulating activation of the PNS. Through continual awareness of the breath and increased concentration whilst nourishing + strengthening much of the body’s soft tissues (fascia, muscle etc) in most yoga practice a relaxed state begins to be experienced. This activation of the body’s natural healing response enables replenishment of the bodies resources and wellness increases. In our PNS, our ability to slow down, reflect and become responsive (less reactive) increases, we move away from the reptile part of the brain (that causes the binary thinking - helpful when knee jerk reactions are needed, such as in an emergency, not so much otherwise) and into the more advanced part. All areas of life are directly affected and as subtle as this is it becomes clear just how much there is to gain through yoga practice.

Stress hormones decrease and the hormones that allow us to feel deeper connection and affection steadily increase. It’s been proven that the amygdala (old school part of the brain that triggers black + white thinking) shrinks and the frontal cortex is stimulated increasing contemplative attitudes which support healthier decision makings and relationships.

Yoga when practiced effectively really is an incredible support to daily living.

Scroll down for links to various studies + videos supporting this science.