Aerial yoga

Dendrophilia and the 'pulse' of trees
Research has shown that trees exhibit circadian movement patterns. Recently nocturnal movement of tree branches were discovered by using terrestrial laser scanning (TLS). The movement is somewhat analogous to a human heartbeat – it apperently pumps water from the roots into the branches. While the human hearts beats on average 70 to 90 times per min. the pulse of trees streches over several hours.

Zlinszky, A., Molnár, B., & Barfod, A. S.. (2017). Not All Trees Sleep the Same—High Temporal Resolution Terrestrial Laser Scanning Shows Differences in Nocturnal Plant Movement. Frontiers in Plant Science, 8

Plain numerical DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.01814
DOI URL
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By using the term embodied [cognition] we mean to highlight two points: first that cognition depends upon the kinds of experience that come from having a body with various sensorimotor capacities, and second, that these individual sensorimotor capacities are themselves embedded in a more encompassing biological, psychological and cultural context.
~ Francisco J. Varela, Evan Thompson, Eleanor Rosch: The Embodied Mind:
Cognitive Science and Human Experience
. pp. 172–173

Western psychology (and therefore science in general) is deeply influenced by ancient Indian psychology and philosophy (yoga can be broadly defined as “the science of mind and consciousness”). The Swiss depth psychologist C.G. Jung (who coinned the term “collective unconscious”) wrote extensively on yoga philosophy. Jung formulated the following:

So it is better for Western man if he does not know too much about the secret insights of the Oriental sages to begin with, for, as I have said, it would be a case of the ‘right means in the hands of the wrong man’.
~ C.G. Jung  (Jung on the East, p.105 – from Commentary on the secret of the golden flower)

Yoga is thus an ancient science which has profound effects on the human mind and on consciousness. It is far more than merely a form of intense physical exercise. However, it has strong effects on human physiology and specifically the human brain. These effects can be quantified by using various cutting-edge scientific methodologies (e.g., fMRI, EEG, et certera). From a physiological point of view it is very beneficial for the endocrine system, the lymphatic systems, the neurovascular system,  and the deep fascia, inter alia. Recent empirical studies show that yoga has beneficial effects on various brain derived neurotrophic growth factors (e.g., BDNF)  and on anti- inflammatory cytokines, inter alia (but see Cahn et al., 2017). It has been concluded that yoga significantly contributes to ‘brain health’ and autonomic homeostasis. Western science has only very recently started to systematically explore this vast and uncharted territory. Psychology can make important contributions to this endeavor. Yoga is particularly interesting from an embodied cognition point of view which postulates that sensorimotor processes are fundamental for all cognitive activities. Research indicates that physical flexibility is significantly correlated with cognitive flexibility  (viz., thinking through the body). Moreover, Yoga is a fascinating subject for the modern neurosciences and we are now in the first stage of investigating its numerous and complex effects on neuronal processes (e.g., changes in neurotransmitter concentrations, neuroplasticity, dynamic functional connectivity, genetic/epigenetic effects, etc. pp.).
However, Yoga by far exceed the investigative scope and intellectual capacity of these relatively immature and mainly materialistic sciences of the West. The phenomenology of yoga is very difficult to describe in linguistic terms. Its ultimate goal is self-realization (cf. Maslow) – the lifting of “the veil of māyā (Sanskrit: माया) and the attainment of a non-egoic higher level of consciousness which is free of illusion and devoid of conceptual content (Nirvikalpa Samādhi; Sanskrit: निर्विकल्प). The “Western mind” has great difficulties to grasp the ineffable depth of yoga. Our linguistic toolkit is not designed to communicate the essential aspects of this ancient spiritual discipline. Sanskrit, on the other hand, has an extensive vocabulary for psychological states. In addition to its semantics its phonology is regarded as very important. Psycholinguistic theories postulate that language fundamentally shapes the way we think (cf. linguistic relativity/Whorfianism). Therefore, it is not just the habitus & hexis (i.e., habits of thought and habits of movement) which influence our cognitive processes but also the socio-linguistic context in which we are enculturated, educated, and conditioned (or even propagandistically indoctrinated).

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Yoga, Brain-Health & Creativity
Yoga rejuvenates the nervous system and specifically the brain.

The word psyche is etymologically derived from the ancient Greek ψυχή (psukhḗ, which translates into “mind/soul/spirit/breath”).

ani222
Mental rotation &
spatial cognition
© 2022 www.christopher-germann.de
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Embodied cognition & AI

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Cerebellum, motor coordination & cognition

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Vrischikasana (Sanskrit: वृश्चिकासन) or "Scorpion pose" is an inverted asana which requires deep balance.

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Lord of the Dance

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Balance & Coordination

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Further references

Afonso, R. F., Balardin, J. B., Lazar, S., Sato, J. R., Igarashi, N., Santaella, D. F., … Kozasa, E. H.. (2017). Greater Cortical Thickness in Elderly Female Yoga Practitioners—A Cross-Sectional Study. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 9

Plain numerical DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2017.00201
DOI URL
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Bushnell, M. C., Čeko, M., & Low, L. A.. (2013). Cognitive and emotional control of pain and its disruption in chronic pain. Nature Reviews Neuroscience

Plain numerical DOI: 10.1038/nrn3516
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Cahn, B. R., Goodman, M. S., Peterson, C. T., Maturi, R., & Mills, P. J.. (2017). Yoga, Meditation and Mind-Body Health: Increased BDNF, Cortisol Awakening Response, and Altered Inflammatory Marker Expression after a 3-Month Yoga and Meditation Retreat. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience

Plain numerical DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2017.00315
DOI URL
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Douglass, L.. (2011). Thinking through the body: The conceptualization of yoga as therapy for individuals with eating disorders. Eating Disorders

Plain numerical DOI: 10.1080/10640266.2011.533607
DOI URL
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Douglass, L.. (2013). Thinking through the body: the conceptualization of yoga as therapy for individuals with eating disorders.. Eating Disorders, 19(1), 83–96.

Plain numerical DOI: 10.1080/10640266.2011.533607
DOI URL
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Fiori, F., David, N., & Aglioti, S. M.. (2014). Processing of proprioceptive and vestibular body signals and self-transcendence in Ashtanga yoga practitioners. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 8

Plain numerical DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00734
DOI URL
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Froeliger, B. E., Garland, E. L., Modlin, L. A., & McClernon, F. J.. (2012). Neurocognitive correlates of the effects of yoga meditation practice on emotion and cognition: a pilot study. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience, 6

Plain numerical DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2012.00048
DOI URL
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Gard, T., Noggle, J. J., Park, C. L., Vago, D. R., & Wilson, A.. (2014). Potential self-regulatory mechanisms of yoga for psychological health. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 8

Plain numerical DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00770
DOI URL
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Gard, T., Taquet, M., Dixit, R., Hölzel, B. K., de Montjoye, Y.-A., Brach, N., … Lazar, S. W.. (2014). Fluid intelligence and brain functional organization in aging yoga and meditation practitioners. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 6

Plain numerical DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2014.00076
DOI URL
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Menezes, C. B., Dalpiaz, N. R., Kiesow, L. G., Sperb, W., Hertzberg, J., & Oliveira, A. A.. (2015). Yoga and emotion regulation: A review of primary psychological outcomes and their physiological correlates. Psychology and Neuroscience

Plain numerical DOI: 10.1037/h0100353
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Schmalzl, L., Powers, C., & Henje Blom, E.. (2015). Neurophysiological and neurocognitive mechanisms underlying the effects of yoga-based practices: towards a comprehensive theoretical framework. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience

Plain numerical DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2015.00235
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Solomonova, E.. (2015). First-person experience and yoga research: studying neural correlates of an intentional practice. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience

Plain numerical DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2015.00085
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Sullivan, M. B., Erb, M., Schmalzl, L., Moonaz, S., Noggle Taylor, J., & Porges, S. W.. (2018). Yoga Therapy and Polyvagal Theory: The Convergence of Traditional Wisdom and Contemporary Neuroscience for Self-Regulation and Resilience. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience

Plain numerical DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2018.00067
DOI URL
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Sullivan, M. B., Erb, M., Schmalzl, L., Moonaz, S., Noggle Taylor, J., & Porges, S. W.. (2018). Yoga Therapy and Polyvagal Theory: The Convergence of Traditional Wisdom and Contemporary Neuroscience for Self-Regulation and Resilience.. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 12, 67.

Plain numerical DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2018.00067
DOI URL
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Villemure, C., ÄŒeko, M., Cotton, V. A., & Bushnell, M. C.. (2015). Neuroprotective effects of yoga practice: age-, experience-, and frequency-dependent plasticity. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 9

Plain numerical DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2015.00281
DOI URL
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