Relaxed Alertness in Novice and Advanced Meditators – A Neurophysiological and Psychological Study of Isha Yoga Practices

This study investigated the neurophysiological and psychological effects of Isha Yoga practices on advanced and novice meditators compared to controls. High-density EEG recordings were taken during pranayama, breath-watching, and shoonya meditation. Results showed distinct brain oscillatory dynamics in Isha meditators, with advanced meditators exhibiting heightened frontal midline theta, alpha, and beta power at rest. Both novice and advanced meditators displayed increases in power across frequency bands during pranayama and breath-watching, indicative of relaxed alertness. Shoonya meditation showed reduced power in novice meditators and controls, but sustained power in advanced meditators. Meditators also reported greater meditation depth and better mental health outcomes.

Saketh Malipeddi, Arun Sasidharan, Ravindra P.N, Seema Mehrotra, John P. John, Bindu M. Kutty