We are in a time of political turmoil, military invasions, increased social inequity, and a growing divide between the wealthy and the working class. That sentence could apply to 2025 or the 2nd Century BC when the Yoga Sutras appeared in history. Studying the Yoga Sutras is interesting because the advice is relevant to our modern existence. Yoga Sutra Chapter 1, verse 33 states the psyche can be calmed by cultivating as an object friendliness, compassion, gladness, and disinterest with happiness, suffering, virtue, and vice. Verse 34 says, or, through both, lengthening the exhale and holding out the breath. Modern neurological science confirms verse 34 has validity. Dr Andrew Huberman hosts a podcast linking daily health practices with scientific evidence. His episode titled Mental Health Toolkit: Tools to Bolster Your Mood and Mental Health explains why Verse 34 of the Yoga Sutras advice decreases stress in our bodies. Scientists have named lengthening and holding out the breath as a Physiological Sigh. Check out the link below to listen to that portion of Dr. Huberman’s Podcast. For those who need more proof that you can do yoga, this should be your aha moment. The link between what the Ancient Yogis knew and modern science is real! So, let’s do a practice that uses the Physiological Sigh or extending the exhale to calm our nervous system and mind. You can listen to my recording on Umbrella Breathing on Soundcloud or on my website and an Extend the Exhale meditation on Headspace as an example.
Namaste Huberman Lab Podcast: https://www.hubermanlab.com/podcast • https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/mental-health-toolkit-tools-to-bolster-your-mood-mental-health?timestamp=63 then click on timestamp and click on 00:40:00 Pillar #6: Stress Control; Physiological Sigh
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AuthorDr. Lisa Clow Archives
January 2025
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