Psychophysiology

Abstract

This chapter describes the physiological mechanisms that underpin the varying effects of different types of breath practices inherent in the yoga tradition and ultimately the role that breathing techniques play in person and public health. Concurrently, the script elucidates how different practices alter psycho-physiological states clarifying why and how they may be employed with specific health populations, how they may enhance and or maintain well-being, and clear guidance regarding precautions and contraindications.

Breathing Right… or Left! The Effects of Unilateral Nostril Breathing on Psychological and Cognitive Wellbeing: A Pilot Study

“…It is possible to hypothesize that the URNB effect was not a direct consequence of the activation of the left hemisphere, but instead, it was probably the result of a bilateral down-modulation of emotion through the synergic work of pre-frontal areas onto the limbic system. Mason and colleagues [29] showed the existence of a set of areas that can be directly modulated by voluntarily controlled breathing, including prefrontal areas (the medial frontal and orbitofrontal cortex, motor, and premotor areas), the insula, and the amygdala. Our results seem to suggest that this modulation is particularly effective through URNB.…”

“…The modulation of nasal airflow has been shown to induce many beneficial effects on our psychophysical wellbeing, preventing asthma, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal problems, hypertension, chronic pain, and inflammatory states [29,30], as well on our mental health, helping to treat anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, and addictions [14]. Thus, it is used in many clinical and non-clinical contexts to promote social skills [29] and psychophysical wellbeing [30][31][32][33].…”