The Link Between Breath & Awareness

 

I have already touched on the elements of breath meditation in this blog, but it is important to understand the processes that make these practices effective.

This study from the Psychophysiology journal helps us to understand the scientific basis for the connection between breath control and the ability to concentrate the mind.

Coupling of Respiration and Attention 

via the Locus Coeruleus: 

Effects of Meditation and Pranayama

The study cites the ancient yogic & Buddhist practices of breath control as a fundamental aspect of meditation and focusing consciousness.

From the introduction of the full paper:

Chale vāte chalaṃ chittaṃ niśchale niśchalaṃ bhavet

Yoghī sthāṇutvamāpnoti tato vāyuṃ nirodhayet

"Respiration, being disturbed, 

the mind becomes disturbed. 

By restraining respiration, 

the Yogi gets steadiness of mind."

-Hatha Yoga Pradapika, Yogi Svatmaram

Although the method of pranayama (breath yoga) has been known for centuries, science is now examining the biological & neurological mechanisms that make it work. As a practitioner of pranayama in my broader yoga practice, I can personally confirm that it definitely does work.

One possibility for this connection between the mechanical process of breathing & the electro-chemical processes of the mind is the phenomenon of synchronization, in which "weakly interactive forces (e.g., mechanical vibrations, heat, or sound) cause autonomously oscillating systems to tend toward a synchronized state."

An example of mechanical systems "syncing" up can be seen in this video:

 Neural & physiological systems exhibit similar synchronization, creating a feedback loop of self-reinforcing activity. The paper looks at the reasons controlled breathing is connected to the functioning of the area of the brain called the locus coeruleus (LC).

There are several factors involved, related to biochemistry, oscillating systems, and neural activity. The evidence all helps confirm the relationship that has been known to meditators and yogis since the beginning of these mindfulness practices millenia ago:

By controlling our breathing, 

we can intentionally stabilize the mind.

-Paul