Potential self-regulatory mechanisms of yoga for psychological health

Abstract

Research suggesting the beneficial effects of yoga on myriad aspects of psychological health has proliferated in recent years, yet there is currently no overarching framework by which to understand yoga’s potential beneficial effects. Here we provide a theoretical framework and systems-based network model of yoga that focuses on integration of top-down and bottom-up forms of self-regulation. We begin by contextualizing yoga in historical and contemporary settings, and then detail how specific components of yoga practice may affect cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and autonomic output under stress through an emphasis on interoception and bottom-up input, resulting in physical and psychological health. The model describes yoga practice as a comprehensive skillset of synergistic process tools that facilitate bidirectional feedback and integration between high- and low-level brain networks, and afferent and re-afferent input from interoceptive processes (somatosensory, viscerosensory, chemosensory). From a predictive coding perspective we propose a shift to perceptual inference for stress modulation and optimal self-regulation. We describe how the processes that sub-serve self-regulation become more automatized and efficient over time and practice, requiring less effort to initiate when necessary and terminate more rapidly when no longer needed. To support our proposed model, we present the available evidence for yoga affecting self-regulatory pathways, integrating existing constructs from behavior theory and cognitive neuroscience with emerging yoga and meditation research. This paper is intended to guide future basic and clinical research, specifically targeting areas of development in the treatment of stress-mediated psychological disorders.

Mindful movement and skilled attention

“…Moreover, individuals diagnosed with ADHD exhibit correlations between executive, attentional and motor deficits, providing evidence for a shared functional and neural basis MacNeil et al, 2011). Existing accounts have provided candidate cognitive and neural mechanisms for this ''mind-body connection'' (Mostofsky and Simmonds, 2008;Tang and Posner, 2009;Vago and Silbersweig, 2012;Gard et al, 2014a), but given that these practices are based on movement, it is surprising that the role of motor learning remains underexplored. Following Marr (1982), we argue that it is critical to organize a neural theory, here of a mind-body connection, in light of the computational problems being solved, and the kinds of representations or algorithms that appear to be employed (see also Wilson and Golonka, 2013).…”

“…In tai chi, there are universally applied principles like groundedness and stepping with an empty leg (Wayne and Kaptchuk, 2008a;Wayne, 2013). In Yoga, there are aspects of the breath that are monitored and controlled (Gard et al, 2014a). In ATM, there are likewise general concepts such as reversibility of movement, connectedness to the support surface, sensitivity to habitual motor impulses, reduction of unnecessary muscular effort that are intended to be a part of every movement performed (Feldenkrais, 1972).…”

“…For an accessible, practical introduction, see Feldenkrais (1972), or for a more theoretical treatment, see Feldenkrais (1981). For a more complete overview of yoga, see Gard et al (2014a) and for tai chi, Wayne and Kaptchuk (2008a,b). Perhaps most critically, much work remains to establish whether mindful movement approaches are reliable and efficacious (though we have mentioned similar concerns regarding standard treatments for ADHD in section A Motor Perspective on Attention and Self-Regulation).…”

Mantra Meditation Suppression of Default Mode Beyond an Active Task: a Pilot Study

“…To investigate this question concerning the influence of control condition, we analyzed previously collected data in the subcategory of mantra meditation, a mind-body practice which includes attention to breath, the physical training of yoga, and mantra meditation (Taylor et al 2010;Gard et al 2014;Kerr et al 2013). Though the practice of Kundalini yoga meditation includes exercise, group training, and many other variables which confound the isolation of the specific effects of meditation alone, the purpose initially motivating this pilot study was to investigate if a brief course of this kind could be employed to modulate functional activity in novice meditators during mantra recitation.…”

Yoga for Chronic Depressive Symptoms in Pregnancy: A Commentary and Call to Action

“…In order to establish evidence-based recommendations for clinical practice, a continued close evaluation of the efficacy, comparative effectiveness, and costeffectiveness of prenatal yoga as a management strategy for chronic depressive symptoms during pregnancy is warranted. In addition, highquality research is required which not only evaluates psychobehavioral measures but also evaluates objective measures, such as biomarkers associated with stress and depression (e.g., inflammatory measures, epigenetic measures, among others), using established theoretical frameworks regarding yoga for depression50 and yoga for selfregulation [71][72][73][74]. Ultimately, prenatal yoga as a self-management option may provide a low-cost, accessible, and acceptable method for empowering women to manage current depressive symptoms, prevent future recurrences, and enhance maternal-child health.…”