Brain Waves & Yoga
In Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras 1.2, it states “Yogas Chitta Vritti Nirodha”.
Yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of mind.
Similarly, modern science also tracks the movements of mind through brain waves. Since Yoga means Union or Oneness, we can interpret this to signify that Union is realized when the mind is stilled/when the brain waves are slower.
Brain waves are measured through an electroencephalographs (EEG) and are categorized by their frequency or speed. You can tell how fast or slow the brainwaves are by how much space there is in between oscillations. The 5 different types of brain waves correlate with different states of consciousness.
image via diygenius.com
The 4 States of Consciousness from The Mandukya Upanishad
Waking State - Jagrat
The waking state is the state of consciousness when we are awake. It is when we are alert and focused in our day to day life. We are engaged with our everyday responsibilities- such as work, school, family, identification with ego, etc. The waking state feels like the drama of our life is real and solid, and the character we play within it is a solid reality.
Gamma Waves
Gamma brain waves are the fastest oscillations in the brain. These waves occur during periods of high focus. Gamma is associated with higher levels of intelligence and presence. These occur during the waking state, but also can occur during REM sleep. Meditation is know to increase Gamma activity.
Beta Waves
Beta brain waves are accompanied in the waking state. It is associated with focus and information processing. These brain waves are important for learning and memory.
2. Dreaming State - Svapna
The dreaming state is the shift in consciousness from being in the outer world to coming into the inner world. This state is associated with light meditation all the way to trance states and dreaming. In the dream state, there isn’t one fixed reality. Unlike the waking state, this level of consciousness has more flexibility. Images and colors tend to shift sporadically and freely. Reality becomes more open to changing and fluctuating, releasing the illusion of anything permanent or solid.
Alpha Waves
Alpha occurs during light meditation. It is a relaxed alertness. It is a slowing down of the mind and attention to the outerworld, and awareness begins to softly reflect on the inner world. There is still awareness of what’s happening around you, but you’re less engaged with it. The inner world is more prominent. Alpha waves occurr during mindfulness meditations, Savasana, breathwork, and asana. Alpha waves accelerates memory retention and enhances learning. Studies show that those with insomnia, excess stress and anxiety have less aplha brainwave activity when awake.
Theta Waves
Theta brainwaves are even slower than Alpha. This is where dreaming happens. There can be spontaneous visuals or sounds. This state is associated with access to the subconscious mind. You can tap into your intuition, creativity, and higher knowing. You can also gain access to your own internal programming - belief systems, memories, and perceptions that influence how you think and move through the world. Through different meditation practices such as Yoga Nidra or ThetaHealing, you have the capacity to let go of unhelpful imprints and integrate energy from past experiences. Increased levels of theta brain waves are associated with enhanced learning and memory consolidation. In theta brain wave, serotonin is released and the immune system is boosted. Theta brain waves can occur during meditation and breathwork.
3. Deep Sleep - Sushupti
Deep sleep is one of the most restorative states for the body. All functions not based on survival have ceased. Energy is still provided for the heart beat, blood flow, breathing, and digestion, but all other functions have paused to greatly shift energy towards restoration.
Delta Waves
Delta brain waves induce a very restorative state in which the body can begin to heal itself. Human growth hormone is released which is essential for metabolism, proper heart muscle functioning, for maintaining and correcting bone density, and growth and regeneration of all the organs of the body, including the brain! In this state, it is possible to experience gaps of peaceful nothingness. It is shown that monks and meditators display more delta brainwaves in the waking state and it is associated with empathy, compassion, intuition, and spirituality. These deeply restorative states can occur during sleep and deep meditation, but with an advanced practice, can be drawn back to the waking state.
4. Turiya
In Yoga, Turiya is known as the fourth state of consciousness. It exists outside of the cycles of body and mind. It has been present before, during, and after our experiences. In The Mandukya Upanishad, Turiya is known to be consciousness itself. By slowing down the brain waves, there is more space to realize Turiya, enlightenment itself.
Turiya
Turiya is the experiencer for the other 3 states of consciousness. It is the backdrop of awareness, where the other states of mind arise. Resting in Turiya is resting as awareness itself. This is the intention of all Yogic practices, to obtain liberation from the mind, and merge with the source of life. Turiya is the return to oneness, to being pure consciousness.
In Ayurveda, Turiya is also known as the state in which miraculous healing occurs. It is an opportunity to re-identify as consciousness, while dis-identifying from thoughts and patterns that might be contributing to dis-ease. When we rest in Turiya, we free ourselves from the negative cycles of mind and can open ourselves up to the healing that comes with being connected with the truth of who we are.
The 8 Limb Path of Yoga is walking us back to this Union with true self, with Turiya.
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research adopted from Yoga Nidra by Kamini Desai