Yoga
for Life
By
Nancy
Dale, Ph.D.
June
19, 2019
Yoga
– Activating New Neuroplasticity in the Brain to Body
What we desire to learn
in Yoga involves facing our personal reality about body/mind/emotions and
retraining “muscle memory.” Scientific
research into “Neuroplasticity” or opening new brain patterns with repetition of
activities such as in Yoga and strength training, influences the way the body
is shaped. Re-shaping the body begins in
the mind, creating new neuron pathways that moves beyond past habit patterns
lodged in the brain and activated in the body.
A dedicated Yoga practice
opens physical/mental/emotional awareness of external/internal bodies. Initiating
change., begins by cleaning out clutter
in the mind, directly facing negative habit patterns and replacing negative
results actualized in the body. The
first step in overcoming a problem is to recognize that you have a problem. The
same can be said of starting a new habit. Positive change is led by awakened
awareness and practicing a new way.
The premise of Neuroplasticity is
that the physical body retains a memory of what the mind experiences, and the mind, or
brain and nervous system, retain a memory of what the body experiences. Linda Fehr, author of “Muscle Memory” says “it is basically NOT
a type of memory which is stored in a
body of a person but it is a memory which is actually stored in
the brain of a person. Neuro pathways creating old or new ways, are created by
repetition.
(www.authenticityassociates.com/neural-plasticity-4-steps-to-change-your-brain.
According to Michael
Merzenich from the book, “The Brain that Changes Itself” says “practicing a new
habit under the right conditions, can change hundreds of millions and possibly
billions of the connections between the nerve cells in our neural pathways. The
human brain is made up of an estimated 100 billion neurons making a total of
100 trillion neural connections.”
“Neuroplasticity”
means that new pathways in the brain are created and through focused practice
can change habits, thoughts, routines. The plasticity in the brain can link neurons
together in new ways and create new pathways.”
Yoga practioners in
the Gold’s Gym 8:45 a.m. class, Wednesday, demonstrate “Extended Side Angle
Pose” to create awareness of lengthening the spine and muscles, breaking old
patterns of slumping. The emphasis in
the pose is to extend one side of the body long, reaching the opposite arm over
the ear as one leg is bent and the other one stretched out. Notice
the lengthening of the “side body” including the legs, arms and core, then
repeat the pose two times or more on each side, holding it for several breaths.
The mind is a magical
wand that only needs to be activated in a direction that will improve health
and wellness. Practice and repetition with repeated long inhales and exhales
with concentration is a beginning. Join a
Yoga class and be a part of the process!
MORE INFO: CONTACT nancydalephd@gmail.com
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