Did you know that stress changes the electrical frequency of your brain?
Beta Waves (12-38 Hz): These occur during heightened states of awareness and active concentration. While useful for work, too much beta activity leads to emotional exhaustion, fatigue, and anxiety.
Alpha Waves (8-13 Hz): These are low amplitude signals that occur when a person is resting but still alert. Alpha waves are linked to decreased pain, improved memory retrieval, and a deep perception of calmness.
Theta Waves (4-7 Hz): These arise during repetitive tasks or deep relaxation. They are linked to short-term memory functioning and reduced anxiety.
The Yoga Connection: Research shows that yoga increases alpha and theta waves in the brain. This means yoga doesn’t just relax your muscles; it physically changes your brain’s state to access the subconscious and release deep-seated emotions. By increasing feel-good chemicals like endorphins and serotonin, practitioners simply “feel better.”