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).
Embodying the self: effects of yoga on social behavior / N., David; Fiori, Francesca; Aglioti, Salvatore Maria. - STAMPA. - (2012).
Embodying the self: effects of yoga on social behavior
FIORI, FRANCESCA;AGLIOTI, Salvatore Maria
2012
Abstract
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).I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.