East Meets West: Yoga and Biofeedback Stephen Larsen, Ph.D. BCIA-eeg Patricia Gerbarg, M.D., Richard Brown, M.D. Willie Yee, M.D. Leslie Sherlin,, M.A. and Jay Gunkelman,, EEG Diplomate
The self-liberating liberating power of the introverted mind (Carl Jung) Yogic technology of consciousness is thousands of years old Biofeedback is less than a century old Both aim for the voluntary control of Internal States www.alexgrey.com
How is it that the yogi swims strongly in the same seas (of the deep psyche) in which the schizophrenic drowns? Joseph Campbell In this presentation we will use evidence from biofeedback and neurofeedback research along with a preliminary SKY study to help answer this important question.
The Discovery of Brainwaves (1924): the energy signature of the brain Hans Berger and a string galvanometer He called the first waves he observed Alpha (8-12Hz) The second kind was Beta (12-28Hz) 28Hz) in 3 ranges
Brainwave Signatures Arousal States Beta excited Alpha relaxed Theta drowsy Spindles sleep Delta deep sleep
Elmer Green hooks up a yogi Banks of the Ganges, India 1973 Green studied famous yogis, among them Swami Rama & Ram Sharma
Research Landmarks 1961 Three Indian Researchers, Anand, Chhina and Singh established the presence of Alpha waves in meditating yogis December 1970, the first world conference on scientific yoga, New Delhi, India (co-sponsored by the International Yoga Institute of Bangalore and Center House in London)
Subjects of Ongoing Study Open study 10 SKY practitioners 4 beginners (1 week after 1 st SKY Course) 4 advanced (1.5-4 4 years SKY practice) 2 advanced (4-5 5 years daily SKY+meditation) 6 women, 4 men Ages 26-64 64 years old
Continuous Monitoring 70 min per Subject 5 min baseline, 45 min Long SKY, 20min relaxation 19-channel Mitsar EEG EKG Heart Rate Variability Pulse Plethysmography Respirometry Galvanic Skin Response
Dr. Richard Brown connected to the 19 channel Mitsar (along with other measures)
Non-synchronous EEG beginning practitioner Some areas: amplitude or frequency coherence Few small areas of phase coherence (synchrony)(
Synchronous Brain Waves of a More Experienced Practitioner
Alpha Waves: Dr. Stephen Larsen (Fehmi Whole Brain Synchrony)
HRV: Regular Waves = High Coherence HeartMath Ujjayi Bhastrika AUM Ujjayi: high coherence Bhastrika: 3 large deviations AUM: 3 large rolling sine waves
During SKY Low coherence mostly (red bar) 3 rounds S-M-F 10-minute After SKY High Coherence Slow Cycles: : mixed low/moderate coherence Medium cycles: : low coherence Fast Cycles: : erratic HRV, low coherence, heart rate Second round Kriya: low coherence mostly At min 10 rest: struggle to regain coherence at min 13
Ascending Heart Signals Thalamus: Synchronizes cortical activity Inhibits cortical function Facilitates cortical function Amygdala: Emotional Memory Medulla: Blood pressure and ANS regulation Oxytocin Atrial Peptide Dopamine Epinephrine Norepinephrine Copyright 2001 Institute of HeartMath
Attachments cause feverish breath. Feverish breath takes away your peace of mind and without peace of mind you fall apart and fall prey to misery. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Sydney Australia 1996
Subject 3 Beginner Baseline Subject 7 Advanced
Bhastrika Sx3
Subject 3 Beginner: Synchrony Baseline Post-SKY
Baseline Sx 7 Advanced
Bhastrika Subject 7 Advanced
SKriya Sx 7 Advanced
High Amplitude Synchrony Sx7
Relax after SKY Sx 7 Advanced
Sx3 Beginner SKriya Sx7 Adv.
Sx 5 Beginner Baseline low α coherence Relax: P-SKYP α & γ coherence
Sx7 Adv. Baseline More α coherence Relax p-skyp α β1 1 & γ
sloreta Subtracts Pre- & Post SKY Advanced Sx 7 - Alpha 1 & 2 α 1 α 2
Adv. Sx 7 Beta 1, Beta 4 β 1 β 4
Sx 7 Delta & Theta δ θ θ
Preliminary Impressions Neurophysiological analysis of yoga practices supports traditional wisdom and the subjective experience of SKY practitioners. Practices achieve balancing effect by challenging the body-mind system. With repeated challenges over time the physiology of advanced practitioners becomes more robust and flexible.
SKY practice illustrates the principle articulated in the Mandukya Upanishad: That the yogi passes through all the states symbolized by the syllable AUM consciously A= = The world of waking consciousness (alpha/beta) U= = The world of Dreams (theta) M= = The world of Deep sleep (delta) The turiya is the thread that interconnects them all.
Thanks to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and the Art of Living Foundation for this unique opportunity to investigate that most elusive, indefinable and yet exquisite something of all: Human Consciousness www.alexgrey.com