Embodying the self: effects of yoga on social behavior

Yoga is an ancient method, which employs physical exercises to achieve physical and mental health. Advanced Yoga practitioners claim increased inner focus, compassion and transcended self-awareness. Yet, these claims have not been properly addressed by cognitive neuroscience. We sought to test whether Yoga practice alters bodily self-awareness and self-transcendence, such possible modulations correlate with the Yoga experience, an embodied lifestyle might affect social behavior. We focused on Asthanga Yoga (AY), a branch of Hatha Yoga. AY represents a particularly body-related type of Yoga, which is characterized by the synchronization of a fixed series of postures with the breath. It is taught in a supervised self-practice without verbal instruction by the teacher and visual learning/feedback (i.e., no mirrors in the room, gaze is focused).