Much of what is described in traditional medical
systems as the "balance" of forces, such as yin and yang in
the Chinese system, can be associated with the dualistic
components of the nervous system. In the central nervous
system yin is rest and yang is action. Balance is the state
between rest and action called dynamic equilibrium. This is
the state that training in Tai ji and Qigong seeks to
refine. In the autonomic nervous system yin may be
associated with the parasympathetic and yang may be
associated with the sympathetic. The balance of yin and yang
is associated with homeostasis.
Because the western world view has generally had a
difficult time understanding and accepting the concepts of
Qi (chi), prana or vital force from the Asian systems, there
has been a strong trend toward explaining the effects of
yoga, qigong, acupuncture, etc through the mechanisms of the
nervous system.(25,54,55) While while these practices do
have a definite effect upon neurological function, with
consequent effects on body systems, the neurological
mechanism may actually be an intermediary for a more refined
and less quantifiable system of subtle energies. However, a
great deal of research has been done that reveals the
neurological mechanisms that may be activated in Qigong and
Yoga and it is appropriate to explore them here.
There are a number of mechanisms associated with the
brain, nervous system and other related systems that Qigong
and Yoga/Pranayama practice enhance including:
- Initiation of the
"relaxation response" (RR), para-sympathetic aspect of
the autonomic nervous system or resting aspect of the
basic rest activity cycle (BRAC).
- Shift of the neurotransmitter
profile.
- Dilation of blood capallaries
initiating increased microcirculation in the periphery,
brain and organs.
- Supports the
brain/neurological aspects of immune function.
- Balance right/left brain
hemisphere dominance.
- Induction of alpha, and
sometimes theta wave forms in EEG.
- Affecting neuroreflex
mechanisms through the stimulation of acupuncture
response points.
- Generating an affect on the
function of the hypothalamus, pituitary, pineal, third
ventricle complex within the brain.
1. Initiation
of the relaxation response
When the predominance of autonomic nervous system activity
is sympathetic the human system is working, expending energy
and breaking down tissue. This is associated with the action
phase of metabolism, and referred to as catabolic. This is
associated, in it's extreme, with the "fight or flight
response" with increased heart rate, breath rate and blood
pressure. It is also called the stress state and has been
associated with adrenal exhaustion and collapse (56).