The Power of Yoga

Evolutionally speaking as the outer brain, or the cerebral cortex which is responsible for the intelligence, judgment, reason etc., expanded, its powers should have grown to such an extent that it could easily control the emotional level of existence. But in practice this has not been so. Perhaps this may be due to the non development of the controlling power of the upper brain over the lower brain. In other words, though the structure and the organization for the higher control of emotions exist in the brain, in practice, it has not functioned.

It is in this context that we are able to view today the practical usefulness of yoga as an everyday science and as an everyman's science. Yoga is not something esoteric or highbrow which is within the reach of only a chosen few. It is apparent that the practice of Yoga leads to an establishment of the superiority of the upper brain over the lower brain and thus releases one from the shackles of everyday fear, anger, hatred and attachment.

There can be no doubt that Yoga improves the functioning of the brain. This has been observed in the EEG patterns of Yogis where one can see the greater correlation and synchronization of the electrical activity of the brain. Acting through the nervous system, Yoga also favorably affects the functioning of all the other systems in the body. This has again been proved conclusively by experimental observations.

During Yogic practices, the functional hierarchy of the nervous system gets reoriented, and functions. Hitherto known as autonomic comes under the control of the cortex or Will. Taking the practice of Pranayama (one of the yogic exercises) as an example, complete control is imposed by the Yogi over breathing. Normally breathing is mostly involuntary, though voluntary control can be imposed for a short time. The process of respiration is under control of the medulla oblongata, autonomic nerves and also the chemicals circulating in the body. By Pranayama exercises this function is gradually freed from the lower controls and brought under the Will of the Yogi.

The structure and the function of the brain as understood by us today leads one to believe that the ordinary human being uses only a small part of the potential power lying dormant in this masterpiece of creation. If one could use some more of this potential power, our existence on this earth will become more meaningful and joyful. The hope for the future of human race lies in improving our brain power in the proper direction.