This information is grouped into three categories-physiological benefits, psychological benefits, biochemical effects-and is based on the regular practice of traditional asana, pranayama, and meditation. Please note that your pulse rate, etc., may increase during the practice of various asanas, some forms of pranayama, and some stages of meditation, but overall benefits to general health are as listed below. For information on the physiological changes that occur during the practice of specific asanas, please see James Funderburk's Science Studies Yoga and other resources cited at the end of this article.
Physiological Benefits
- Stable autonomic nervous system equilibrium, with a tendency toward parasympathetic nervous system dominance rather than the usual stress-induced sympathetic nervous system dominance.
- Pulse rate decreases
- Respiratory rate decreases
- Blood pressure decreases (of special significance for hyporeactors)
- Galvanic skin response (GSR) increases
- EEG-alpha waves increase (theta, delta, and beta waves also increase during various stages of meditation)
- EMG activity decreases
- Cardiovascular efficiency increases
- Respiratory efficiency increases (respiratory amplitude and smoothness increase, tidal volume increases, vital capacity increases, breath-holding time increases)
- Gastrointestinal function normalizes
- Endocrine function normalizes
- Excretory functions improve
- Musculoskeletal flexibility and joint range of motion increase
- Posture improves
- Strength and resiliency increase
- Endurance increases
- Energy level increases
- Weight normalizes
- Sleep improves
- Immunity increases
- Pain decreases
Psychological Benefits
- Somatic and kinesthetic awareness increase
- Mood improves and subjective well-being increases
- Self-acceptance and self-actualization increase
- Social adjustment increases
- Anxiety and depression decrease
- Hostility decreases
- Psychomotor functions improve
- Grip strength increases
- Dexterity and fine skills improve
- Eye-hand coordination improves
- Choice reaction time improves
- Steadiness improves
- Depth perception improves
- Balance improves
- Integrated functioning of body parts improves
- Cognitive function improves
- Attention improves
- Concentration improves
- Memory improves
- Learning efficiency improves
- Symbol coding improves
- Flicker fusion frequency improves
Biochemical Effects
- The biochemical profile improves, indicating an antistress and antioxidant effect, important in the prevention of degenerative diseases.
- Glucose decreases
- Sodium decreases
- Total cholesterol decreases
- Triglycerides decrease
- HDL cholesterol increases
- LDL cholesterol decreases
- VLDL cholesterol decreases
- Cholinesterase increases
- Catecholamines decrease
- ATPase increases
- Hematocrit increases
- Hemoglobin increases
- Lymphocyte count increases
- Total white blood cell count decreases
- Thyroxin increases
- Vitamin C increases
- Total serum protein increases
Yoga Compared to Conventional Exercise
Yoga
- Parasympathetic nervous system dominates
- Subcortical regions of brain dominate
- Slow dynamic and static movements
- Normalization of muscle tone
- Low risk of injuring muscles and ligaments
- Low caloric consumption
- Effort is minimized, relaxed
- Energizing (breathing is natural or controlled)
- Balanced activity of opposing muscle groups
- Noncompetitive, process-oriented
- Awareness is internal
- (focus is on breath and the infinite)
- Limitless possibilities for growth in self-awareness
Exercise
- Sympathetic nervous system dominates
- Cortical regions of brain dominate
- Rapid, forceful movements
- Increased muscle tension
- Higher risk of injury
- Moderate to high caloric consumption
- Effort is maximized
- Fatiguing (breathing is taxed)
- Imbalanced activity of opposing groups
- Competitive, goal oriented
- Awareness is external (focus is on reaching the toes, reaching the finish line, etc.)
- Boredom factor
The foregoing is excerpted from The Acne Prescription by Nicholas Perricone, M.D. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced without written permission from HarperCollins Publishers, 10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022
For more information about Dr. Perricone's science and breakthroughs, visit N.V. Perricone, M.D. Cosmeceuticals.
