Dismantling Negative Neuropathways: How Yogic Practices Can Help
The creator of Yoga of Immortals (YOI) and a mental health researcher, Dr. Ishan Shivanand, examines how neuropathways affect mental health and offers strategies for creating wholesome pathways.
Neuropathways, also referred to as neural pathways or neural circuits, are connections formed by a network of neurons, or nerve cells. They enable the transmission of electrochemical signals between different parts of the nervous system including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.
Neuropathways are like highways in our brains. They connect different regions and facilitate communication. They are responsible for the development and nurturing of our thought patterns, behaviours, emotions and, hence, belief systems. And just as roads can become congested with traffic, our neuropathways can too be entrenched in unhelpful patterns, leading to feelings of stress, anxiety or poor quality of life.
The cognitive reasoning behind stress and anxiety is linked to the patterns etched in our neuropathways. Negative pathways can trigger a chain of stress responses, which are often disproportionate to the actual challenges faced. All of this can further lead to chronic mental health disorders.
What’s interesting to note is that neuropathways are created when processes and behaviours recur over time. They can be formed and strengthened through repeated use and experience, a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity. And hence, leaving us with endless opportunities to restart, as per integrative healthcare sciences, our behavioural tendencies can be modified if we understand how to cultivate positive neuropathways for lifestyle transformation.
Yogic Practices for Positive Neuropathways
Yoga-based meditative practices are non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical interventions that can be integrated with modern medicine. Specific meditation modalities that are based on the principles of the Indian Knowledge Systems support holistic well-being and mental resilience. This intersection of ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience presents an avenue for a higher quality of life.
One of the most powerful ways of building positive neuropathways is by introducing yoga-based meditation into regular life. Evidence-based meditative practices, when performed under the guidance of a guru or meditation expert, can have multiple benefits. Meditation helps penetrate a heightened state of complete awareness, enabling deep relaxation and stress reduction, building neuroplasticity, and helping with self-acceptance and emotional regulation.
You can build supportive belief systems through the goal manifestation technique of journaling—through visualisation. Mentally picture your ideal life in real-time, and write that down in your journal or the Golden Book on a daily basis. It’s like you’re writing the movie script of your life; you need to visualise details and be descriptive, involving senses and emotions. While writing, try to inculcate the belief that it’s already a reality. Along with this, you can also journal your short-, mid and long-term goals. Do this daily before you go to sleep and read it in the morning.
Rebuilding your life is possible. But it’s in your hands. Through the disciplined application of yogic practices, you can embark on a transformative journey towards resilience.