The Autonomic Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system is composed of two nervous systems called the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic system. The proper balance of these two nervous systems plays a large role in our lives.

The sympathetic nervous system wakes us up in the morning and is often referred as our fight or flight mode, while the parasympathetic nervous system allows us to go to sleep a night, calms and relaxes us.

These two nervous systems are a part of the autonomic nervous system which controls the unconscious processes in the body such as the beating of the heart and breathing.

While the third nervous system which completes the autonomic nervous system is the enteric nervous system located in the gastrointestinal tract and controls the process of digestion.

These two nervous systems can be manipulated with the nostrils using the practice of Pranayama and can also be manipulated with Yoga Asanas.

Sympathetic Nervous System

This nerve starts in the first thoracic vertebra known as T1 and is located inline with the shoulders and extends down to the third lumbar vertebra known as L3 and is located at the middle of the lumbar which is the lower back above the hips.

When the sympathetic nervous system is activated by a perceived life threatening event the body reacts by secreting hormones. These hormones are epinephrine and norepinephrine which are produced in the adrenal glands.

When epinephrine and norepinephrine is released we become more alert, increasing the heart rate and blood pressure, the bronchioles located in the lungs become larger allowing for more air to enter the lungs, the pupils in the eyes become larger to allow more light to enter the eyes.

At the same time the liver releases glucose which gives more energy to the muscles of the body, digestion stops and the bladder relaxes. This nervous system is also referred to as the fight or flight nervous system.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

This nerve is bilateral, emanating from the brain stem and second through fourth sacrum segments known as S2, S3 and S4 and is located at the hips.

When the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, it has the opposite effects of an activated sympathetic nervous system allowing the mind and body to relax reducing blood pressure and allowing us to sleep among other effects.

This nervous is referred as our rest and digest nervous system and provides balance and equilibrium within the body by producing the opposite effects of the sympathetic nervous system.

Ayurveda, Yoga and the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems

Within the practices of Ayurveda which is an ancient form of medicine and Yoga is the recognition of there being more to the physical body then what we can see. These two practices describe the Pranic system which consist of Nadis, Chakras and Prana.

Nadis meaning "energetic pathways" that channel Prana meaning "life force energy" throughout the body utilizing 72,000 pathways. As these pathways make there way throughout the body, they cross paths creating Chakras meaning "wheels of spinning energy."

The two main Nadis are Ida and Pingala Nadis and they are linked to the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. Ida Nadi controls the parasympathetic nervous system while Pingala Nadi controls the sympathetic nervous system.

Ida and Pingala Nadis start at the perineum which is located between the anus and the genitls and they end between the eyes.

As the Nadis move up from the perineum they cross paths creating Chakras. Therefore the Nadis are associated with the nerves, the Chakras are associated with the nerve plexus and Prana is associated with the impulses of the nerves.

A Yoga can bring a balance back into these two nervous systems by bringing the chin to the chest during a Yoga Asana practice. When the chin is in a neutral position, you are not in ether the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

When the chin is lifted above neutral, the sympathetic nervous system is activated and when the chin is lowered below neutral, the parasympathetic nervous system is activated.

Because the Nadis are directly linked to the two nervous systems, Pranayama can also be used to manipulate them. With the practice of Hatha Yoga, one of the goals is to unite the two main Nadis to allow Prana to flow through Sushumana Nadi which is the central Nadi and is known as the main Nadi.

Keeping both nervous system activated or the two main Nadis is a key to Self-Realization.

The Autonomic Nervous System

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Ayurveda, Yoga and the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems