“Fight or flight” versus “Rest and Digest”
Like yin and yang, the Sympathetic Nervous System and Parasympathetic Nervous System work together to achieve total harmony within the human body. The former governs the “fight or flight” response, giving us the energy we need to perform heightened physical activity and respond to stress and danger.
Also known as the “rest and digest” system, the Parasympathetic system is responsible for the opposite functions, allowing our bodies to return to a state of rest, restoring equilibrium and efficient performance to each of our systems.
Gastro-intestinal health is a prime function that benefits during this period of relaxation, as does our circulation and breathing. Heart rates decline when in rest, and breathing capacity expands.
Yoga supports the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic systems in attaining appropriate pendulation. When these systems are in harmony, your body will know when to rest and when to eat.
Awareness of breathing techniques while performing yoga poses will guide you toward that ideal state of equilibrium. Inhale is an activation, exhale is deactivation. Breath is the wave of energy that moves you through the states of arousal.
Sympathetic arousal can lead to creative bursts, task completion, and being present. Finishing a yoga practice in asana, accompanied by deep, cleansing breaths, brings the body into a parasympathetic state, allowing recovery and complete rejuvenation.
Stress has a profound effect on our bodies. Establishing a routine yoga practice, focusing on healthy eating habits, prioritizing sleep and downtime, are all important elements of combating the effects of stress. We find our “center,” that balance between order and chaos, when we do our part to align the complex inner workings of the systems within.
Sources:
National Library of Medicine: Neuroanatomy, Parasympathetic Nervous System
