UNDERSTANDING THE NEUROPSYCHOLOGY OF YOGA AND LIFE SKILLS

Abstract

Yoga, an old age mind body practice, has attracted more and more interest in psychology and neuroscience due to its significant effects on brain function, cognition, emotional health. The use of techniques and the cognitive underpinnings of yoga and its function in developing critical life skills are examined in this chapter. The practice of yoga breathing, or practicing pranayama includes controlling our breath in order to reduce stress and improve our overall health and major focussing on cognition and emotional health. According to the neuroscience study, frequent yoga practice causes structural and functional changes in the braiN which promotes self regulation, emotional resilience. Yoga improves executive functions, emotional intelligence and social cognition through mechanisms such as neuroplasticity, autonomic nervous system modulation, stress reduction and vagal tone enhancement, yoga facilitates improved executive function, emotional intelligence, and social cognition are the key components of adaptive life skills. The work of breathing is an another important factor which gives direct impact on physiological and psychological processes that involved in respiration. The chapter integrates scientific research with practical insights, demonstrating how yoga helps in mindfulness, adaptability and self regulation ultimately enhancing holistic well being and human potential .