The Neuroscience of Yoga and Meditation

The Neuroscience of Yoga and Meditation is an accessible introduction to how yoga and meditation affect the brain. Each chapter will guide the reader through the latest yoga and meditation research and break down complex topics into easily digestible points. The book also explores the current limitations in studying these practices and offers tools for interpreting scientific literature. The material is also broken up with "fun facts" and "common myths about the brain" to keep the reader engaged. And the book includes mediations and movement routines that yogis can incorporate into their practices in order to activate specific regions of the brain. Importantly, the chapters include ideas and techniques for integrating the science with your mind-body practice. The Neuroscience of Yoga and Meditation is a must-have for any yoga teacher, yoga therapist or yogi who is interested in how their contemplative practice affects the brain. Topics include: Brain anatomy and major features of the brain The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system The role of the vagus nerve Where movement comes from in the brain Proprioception: understanding our position in space The physiology of the breath The effect of the breath on mood Stress and inflammation Psychological disorders and neurological conditions Trauma and the brain The aging brain