'CHANGES IN PERCEPTION FOLLOWING YOGA PRACTICE'

Your Virtual Yoga Studio Blog. Life's Better with Yoga.

Manoj Dash,BHMS,DYT,Ph.D. () -

Perception is sensation with added complexity due to factors such as memories and emotions. Yoga practice influences perception in three ways: (1) by increasing perceptual sensitivity, (2) by selectively `shutting out’ undesirable stimuli, and (3) by changing distorted perception, which occurs in schizophrenia. Practicing yoga improved auditory and visual perception, by increasing sensitivity to various characteristics of the stimuli (e.g., intensity, frequency). Also, electrophysiological studies using evoked potentials have shown that during yoga practice the transmission of sensory information is facilitated. These studies suggest several applications of yoga practice, in activities ranging from aviation to art. Interestingly, other studies suggest that yoga practice can also help to `shut off’ undesirable external stimuli, which is possibly due to cortical feedback connections to the sensory pathway. It is also possible that through changes in cognitive factors yoga influences perception, so that even though the stimulus is `sensed’ it is not disturbing. This concept has been studied using yoga to help persons with chronic pain to willfully ignore it. Finally, preliminary studies have shown that yoga practice may modify distorted perception in conditions such as schizophrenia. Hence, there is sufficient research to support the idea that yoga practice influences perception in different ways, with varied applications.

Perception is the process of interpretation, organization, and elaborating the `raw materials’ of sensation (1). Sensation involves sensory receptors and pathways, whereas perception is a cognitive process. The actual perception of a sensation depends on factors such as what has been learned, memories, and emotions. It is also important to remember that while perception usually refers to sensory stimuli, this definition can be extended to include the perception of situations.

Recordings of middle latency auditory evoked potentials (AEP-MLRs) have shown that the practice of ujjayi pranayama modifies the AEP-MLRs components in two ways. A specific component (the Na wave) has reduced latency and increased amplitude during pranayama practice (2). These results suggest that this practice facilitates the processing of auditory information at mesencephalic and diencephalic levels. A similar result was also seen during the practice of meditation on the syllable Om (3), where subjects who had more than ten years of meditation experience, showed an increase in the Na wave amplitude and a decrease in its’ latency while mentally repeating (Om). No such effect was seen when the same subjects mentally repeated `one’, during a control session, for comparison.

These electrophysiological data are corroborated by neuropsychological studies. Previous studies on meditation have shown significant changes in perception, attention and cognition (4). Brown and Engler in 1980 (5), reported that meditators were found to be more sensitive to subtle aspects of color and shading of the Rorschach test inkblots, than they had been before meditation. Two studies on the Critical Flicker Fusion Frequency have shown that perceptual sensitivity is not restricted to subtle aspects of the stimulus alone, as detection of a high frequency flickering stimulus was found to improve following yoga training (6,7). A study on the degree of a visual geometric illusion, based on Müller-Lyer lines showed that a combination of focusing and defocusing yoga visual exercises reduces optical illusion more than focusing alone (8). These studies were conducted on adult subjects with varying durations of yoga training. It was reported in a recent study on Critical Flicker Fusion Frequency and optical illusion on children who practiced yoga for a shorter duration of 10 days that there was also a significant improvement following the practice of yoga (9). To perceive an optical illusion with minimal error and for accurate depth perception the spatial component of visual perception is necessary (10). The decrease in the degree of optical illusion perceived over a short period would be mainly due to cognitive judgmental factors, but not retinal or cortical factors as generally understood (11). The cognitive judgmental factors involve the way in which the subject interprets incoming visual information based on experience, hypothesis and strategies of judgment. Hence the training through yoga to focus and defocus might have influenced the cognitive judgmental factors of the subjects, to significantly reduce the degree of optical illusion perceived. Critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF), on the other hand, assesses the temporal component of perception of a visual stimulus (12). The increase in CFF following yoga could be attributed to the effects of yoga reducing physiological signs of stress, as CFF was found to be lower during specific stressors, such as food and water deprivation (13). This showed that both spatial and temporal components of visual perception are modified following yoga practices.

Hence the electrophysiological data as well as the visual, neuropsychological studies cited above have shown that yoga practice improves diverse aspects of auditory and visual stimuli in normal volunteers.

An interesting difference in auditory perception (based on AEP-MLRs) were also seen in congenitally blind children (14) and adults (15) compared to those with normal sight. The changes suggested improved auditory perception which could be a compensatory mechanism of auditory sensation in the presence of poor vision.

The effect of yoga has been observed on the perception of situations. Examples of a change in the way persons perceive situations was observed in two separate groups of subjects. A study on 69 aged persons (above 60 years of age), staying in an old age home, showed that after 6 months of yoga practice there was a reduction in their feelings of depression, based on the Geriatric Depression Scale suggesting a favorable change in the wy they perceived their circumstances (16). Another study on ten patients with breast cancer (stage 2 and 3), showed reduction in depression and anxiety (using Beck’s Depression Scale, Spielberger’s State and Trait Anxiety Inventory), after practicing yoga for 6 months. Hence yoga can probably have positive effects on both sensory perception and on the way situations or circumstances are perceived (17).

Finally, there may be more ways of perceiving the world than we know about. As the renowned sensory neurophysiologist, Vernon B. Mountacastle said: “Each of us lives within…..the prison of his own brain. Projecting from it are millions of fragile sensory nerve fibers, in groups uniquely adapted to sample the energetic states of the world around us: heat, light, force, and chemical composition. That is all we ever know of it directly; all else is logical inference” (18). Yoga may allow an advanced practitioner to develop `siddhis’ or special powers, which may hence allow such a person to have a different, possibly `expanded’ perception of the world.

About the Author

I am a Doctor, doing my Ph.D.in Yoga. My topic of interest is to conduct Yoga Retreat, take class for Yoga Teacher and Medical professionals for in depth Research findings, and also Interest to conduct research in various field of yoga, both experimental and theoretical. I have been Traveling to all EUROPIAN countries.

My contact: yoga4all@india.com

My web page:

http://www.geocities.com/manojrieneke/Research.html

Comment #1 dr.pradhan,george. from INDIA, visakha patnam. -

The scientific exposition by dr manoj dash is fine.

my personal experience is that regulating life is a day to day process, and yoga pathways link the body mind and soul to the primordeal creative energy, a spot of which is in me, and all animate amd inanimate..

and that the brain opens up not only to yoga but also to any similar regulated orderly controlled organized life style for the day.and for all days i practice.

and the buty of yoga is that it benefits not jus the brain alone but all the cells of the body and the extracorporeal self.

# i especially appreciate the diaphragm spasmodic contractions[ exercises] of swami ramdevji.these tone up all the functions of the body, incl the brain and its function the mind, by involving almost all the viscera , organs and connected vital glands nerves and plexes.,

george pradhan, mbbs/1950, india.

Comment #2 Herbert (63.176.159.67) -

In my experience yoga is extremely relaxing and frees up the mind for other things.

Comment #3 Steven (63.176.159.163) -

Do you know of any popular Yoga instructors in the Dallas area. I am interested in giving it a try but don't where to find a good one.. Please help.

Comment #4 shania (63.176.159.25) -

I am a big yoga practicer and let me tell you, I could not imagine waking up the next day without having done yoga that evening. After my day at work, the day with kids, the running around I have to do, and all the housework yoga is my way of calming down at night after each day. It is my alone time to myself, and it relaxes me so much before I lay down for the night. If you havent tried yoga I highly recommended it, I promise you, that you will see a big difference in yourself and your stress.

Comment #5 David (63.176.159.248) -

yoga does really do anything for me other than waste my time, its seems.. am i doing something wrong..

Comment #6 Dean (63.176.159.162) -

How can one benefit by doing yoga? I seems just like a exercise routines, forms, figures, and stretching. I don't any spiritual and perceptional aspect with the activity.

Comment #7 Dexter (63.176.159.214) -

Yeah what does Yoga have to do with anything spiritual? I agree that is just like exercise. The rest in all in your mind.

Comment #8 Lisa (63.176.159.16) -

EVERYTHING starts in your mind! Even the doctors and medicine some of you seem so fond of.... you have to get the idea to GOTO the dr... then you use your mind to tell the DR what is "wrong".

Without any of that being in your mind you'd never get the medicine... and whatever you say to the DR might have a big impact on what medicine you end up getting.

So, even if all aspects of yoga beyond the physical exercise are just in the mind... well... that is exactly what you want! Purify your mind and your life will follow.

Yoga just might be the easiest way for you to purify your mind!

Comment #9 Oliver (63.176.159.146) -

Yoga is not the only way to clear up your mind, there are a lots of things out there can also clear up your mind. I positive view on life could greatly help.

Comment #10 Cassie (63.176.159.65) -

Does anybody have any websites that offer yoga instructions?

Comment #11 dustin (63.176.159.114) -

there are some other ways to clear up your mind, yeah. but if yoga would help i would sure like to know what i could do to help myself.. i just can't seem to get ahead enough to be in a good place in my mind.

Comment #12 Rachel (63.176.159.244) -

I want to try yoga it sounds like it would be pretty relaxing but I live in a small town named Titusville in Pennsylvania does anyone know how I could find somewhere to try it out?

Comment #13 Dana (63.176.159.174) -

This link might help you find a yoga class near Titusville.

• Yoga Classes

Comment #14 Tom (63.176.159.233) -

I love yoga, I do it everyday, and I do not know how i would make it day to day without it.

Comment #15 Wendy (63.176.159.103) -

Ancient Yogis had a belief that in order for man to be in harmony with himself and his environment, he has to integrate the body, the mind, and the spirit. For these three to be integrated, emotion, action, and intelligence must be in balance. The Yogis formulated a way to achieve and maintain this balance and it is done through exercise, breathing, and Meditation - the three main Yoga structures.

In Yoga, the body is treated with care and respect for it is the primary instrument in man's work and growth. Yoga Exercises improve circulation, stimulate the abdominal organs, and put pressure on the glandular system of the body, which can generally result to better health.

Here is a useful site

• www.abc-of-yoga.com/beginnersguide/whatisyoga.asp

Comment #16 Donnie (63.176.159.59) -

I've always thought yoga was mixed in with a little spirituality. At least all the people I've known who practiced yoga were more spiritual and carefree people. I guess that is what yoga does for you, really mellows you out.

Comment #17 Saab (63.176.159.185) -

Yoga is a science that has been practiced for thousands of years. It is consists of Ancient Theories, observations and principles about the mind and body connection which is now being proven by modern medicine. Substantial research has been conducted to look at the Health Benefits of Yoga - from the Yoga Postures (Asanas), Yoga Breathing (Pranayama), and Meditation.

Physiological Benefits of Yoga

Blood Pressure decreases

Gastrointestinal function normalizes

Endurance increases

Energy level increases

Sleep improves

Immunity increases

Pain decreases

Steadiness improves

Depth perception improves

Balance improves

Comment #18 Geoffrey Macharia (63.176.159.106) -

Actually, yoga is just one of various physical exercises and mental dispositions that help people focus their internal energy positively. Metaphysically speaking, everything is made up of energy at the most basic level. Different people learn to control this energy through different, regular practices. For yoga practitioners they believe that when their physical rhythms positively channel their energy to achieve good health, just as meditators believe perfect relaxation and concentration channels energy to their soul and hence helps them be better people. Am one of those people who believe in the power of positive thinking, especially as described in the movie "The Secret". If you combine your thoughts with your physical exercise I happen to believe you will achieve a much greater level of physiological and psychologicaal well-being.

• The Secret: Official Website of the Secret.

Comment #19 Prana (63.176.159.169) -

Yoga is a spiritual path, THE spiritual path. It has been traced back 6000 years or more, and no one knows where it began. It is an ancient school of wisdom and enlightenment. It is not directly connected to any religion, it can be practiced without, or within, any religious path. It is free and open and leads to a stable life with a deep committment to life and truth. Right?

Comment #20 Geoffrey Macharia (41.220.224.154) -

Actually yoga as understood and practised today has its origin in Buddhism. Gautama Budda made the practise of deep meditation while seated with legs crossed a standard means of practising yoga. It became widespread during his life in India.So yes, yoga, as presently practised, does have its origin in a religion. Ofcourse it is probable there were other forms of meditation in other parts of the world (less famous) that aimed at many of the same objectives as the Buddhist form and that eventually came to be generalised as yoga.

Comment #21 Eve (63.176.159.87) -

Yoga is indeed a spiritual form of exercise, yet the physical results that can be obtained through the practice of yoga is incredible and astronomical. The flexibility and the dexterity that can be learned by the human body through the welcoming doors of yoga and deep meditation are really amazing accomplishments when the goals are finally fulfilled.

Comment #22 wondering (63.176.159.122) -

I think Yoga is a notion in mind and so everyone is free to follow a pattern of behaviour of choice. Its link with Buddhism still is not clear.

There are many ways to achieve peace through a link of mind, body and soul so I doubt if Yoga is the only way out. If someone can claim that he or she cannot do without Yoga, it seems to me then that it is addictive.

Comment #23 moy (63.176.159.167) -

A common phrase that a friend of mine likes to use is, 'it's all in the mind.' The truth of the matter is that for something to work for anyone, you have to first put it in mind. The thought process has to point towards there being light at the end of the tunnel. Indeed, exercising is good for whatever part of the body in question. I tried to read the The Secret and found the principles put forward there to be pretty what you know but have never cared to pay attention to.

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