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

This study investigates the neurophysiological and psychological effects of Isha Yoga practices on advanced and novice meditators compared to controls. High-density EEG recordings during pranayama, breath-watching, and shoonya meditation revealed distinct brain oscillatory dynamics in meditators. Advanced meditators showed heightened frontal midline theta, alpha, and beta power at rest. During pranayama and breath-watching, both novice and advanced meditators displayed increased power across frequency bands, indicating 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 (lower stress, distress, higher well-being).

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