Get to Know Your Nervous System

The Nervous System

The nervous system is a highly complex part of our bodies that coordinates its actions and sensory information by transmitting signals to and from different parts of the body. The nervous system detects environmental changes that impact us, then works in tandem with the endocrine system to respond to such events.

The human nervous system is a complex network of cells and tissues that is responsible for transmitting and processing information throughout the body. It is divided into two main parts: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and the spinal cord. It is the main control center of the body and is responsible for processing and integrating sensory information, as well as initiating and coordinating responses to stimuli.

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) consists of all the nerves that are outside of the brain and spinal cord. It is responsible for transmitting information between the CNS and the rest of the body. The PNS is divided into two main parts: the somatic nervous system, which controls voluntary movements, and the autonomic nervous system, which controls unconscious bodily functions such as heart rate and digestion.

Overall, the nervous system is a complex and essential system that is responsible for transmitting and processing information throughout the body and coordinating responses to stimuli. It plays a central role in our ability to sense, think, and act.

The yogic system refers to these superhighways of the body as Nadis. Nerves that transmit signals from the brain are called motor or efferent nerves, while those nerves that transmit information from the body.

to the CNS are called sensory or afferent. Spinal nerves serve both functions and are called mixed nerves. The PNS is divided into three separate subsystems, the somatic, autonomic, and enteric nervous systems. Somatic nerves mediate voluntary movement. The autonomic nervous system is further subdivided into the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous systems.

The sympathetic nervous system is activated in cases of emergencies to mobilize energy, while the parasympathetic nervous system is activated when organisms are in a relaxed state. The enteric nervous system functions to control the gastrointestinal system. Both autonomic and enteric nervous systems function involuntarily. Nerves that exit from the cranium are called cranial nerves while those exiting from the spinal cord are called spinal nerves.

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is the part of the nervous system that consists of all the nerves that are outside of the brain and spinal cord. It is responsible for transmitting information between the central nervous system (CNS) and the rest of the body. The PNS is divided into two main parts: the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.

The somatic nervous system is responsible for controlling voluntary movements, such as those involved in movement and sensation. It is made up of sensory neurons, which transmit information from the senses to the CNS, and motor neurons, which transmit information from the CNS to the muscles.

The autonomic nervous system is responsible for controlling unconscious bodily functions such as heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure. It is divided into two branches: the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, and the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the "rest and digest" response.

Overall, the peripheral nervous system is an essential part of the nervous system that is responsible for transmitting information between the CNS and the rest of the body. It plays a central role in our ability to sense, think, and act.

Sympathetic

The sympathetic nervous system's primary process is to stimulate the body's fight-flight-or-freeze response. It is, however, constantly active at a basic level to maintain homeostasis. The sympathetic nervous system is described as being antagonistic to the parasympathetic nervous system which stimulates the body to "feed and breed" and to (then) "rest-and-digest".

The sympathetic nervous system has very specific effect on the body. To name just a few: increasing heart rate and blood pressure, mobilization, and direct affect on the adrenals with the release of adrenaline into our system (along with various other get-up-and-go hormones). While it does play a role throughout the organs of our bodies, it focuses on directing energy on peripheral mobilization and doing.

Think Fight-or-Flight, right? To do this, things like digestion get slowed down, as well as our urge for elimination. When we need to run, we don't want to have to worry about stopping to relieve our bladder. This is a quick functioning, high energy-burning system

2 - The sympathetic nervous system is one of the two branches of the autonomic nervous system, which controls unconscious bodily functions such as heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, which is a physiological response that is activated in situations of stress or danger.

When the sympathetic nervous system is activated, it triggers the release of stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, which prepare the body for action. This can lead to an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration, as well as an increase in blood flow to the muscles and a decrease in blood flow to the digestive system.

The sympathetic nervous system is an essential part of the body's stress response system, and it plays a key role in helping us to respond to situations that require quick action. However, if the sympathetic nervous system is constantly activated due to chronic stress, it can have negative effects on physical and mental health.

Overall, the sympathetic nervous system is an important part of the body's stress response system and is activated in situations of stress or danger in order to prepare the body for action.

Para-Sympathetic

The parasympathetic system is responsible for stimulation of "rest-and-digest" or "feed and breed" activities that occur when the body is at rest, especially after eating, including sexual arousal, salivation, lacrimation (tears), digestion and elimination.

The parasympathetic nervous system is our system for rest, relaxation and rejuvenation. This is the system responsible for the nurturing and filtering work of digestion and elimination - so it is very important for the optimal functioning of our internal environments - from cells to whole body.

This is also the system responsible for Healing. Our cells were made to tidy up, fix, filter, cleanse, clean-up, discern, multiply and thrive. Our bodies know how to heal - they are constantly getting rid of cancer cells all the time in a body that is healthy for all general purposes. They do so best when given the optimal conditions with which to do so - ie. less stress and stimulus. This is why we do most of our cellular healing in our sleep - because, in sleep, our mind and senses take a break, parasympathetic control takes over and there aren't any distractions from the process of healing.

2 - The parasympathetic nervous system is one of the two branches of the autonomic nervous system, which controls unconscious bodily functions such as heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure. The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "rest and digest" response, which is a physiological response that is activated in situations of relaxation and safety.

When the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, it helps to regulate the body's functions and promote relaxation and rest. This can lead to a decrease in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration, as well as an increase in blood flow to the digestive system and a decrease in blood flow to the muscles.

The parasympathetic nervous system is an essential part of the body's stress response system, and it plays a key role in helping us to relax and recover after periods of stress or activity. It is important for maintaining overall physical and mental health.

Overall, the parasympathetic nervous system is an important part of the body's stress response system and is activated in situations of relaxation and safety in order to promote relaxation and rest.

THE NADIS

In yoga, the term "nadis" refers to channels or pathways that are believed to carry prana (life force or vital energy) throughout the body. According to traditional yoga teachings, there are 72,000 nadis in the human body, although three of them are considered to be the most important: the ida, pingala, and sushumna nadis.

The ida nadi is believed to be associated with the left side of the body and is associated with the moon, femininity, and the cooling, calming aspects of the mind. The pingala nadi is believed to be associated with the right side of the body and is associated with the sun, masculinity, and the heating, activating aspects of the mind. The sushumna nadi is believed to run along the spinal column and is associated with the central channel of the body and with balance and balance.

In yoga practice, the nadis are often associated with the breath and with the flow of prana within the body. Different pranayama (breathing) techniques may be used to stimulate and balance the flow of prana through the nadis.

Overall, the concept of the nadis is an important aspect of traditional yoga teachings and is closely connected to the concept of prana and the flow of vital energy within the body. It is believed that the nadis play a central role in physical and mental well-being and that their balance and flow can be influenced through yoga practice.

Western medicine and yogic philosophy have different interpretations of the nervous system. Western medicine views the nervous system as a complex network of cells and tissues that is responsible for transmitting and processing information throughout the body. It is divided into the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which consists of all the nerves outside of the CNS.

Yogic philosophy, on the other hand, views the nervous system in a more holistic way and places a greater emphasis on the role of the mind and consciousness in regulating the body. In yogic philosophy, the nervous system is believed to be closely connected to the flow of prana (life force or vital energy) throughout the body, and the practice of yoga is seen as a way to balance and regulate the flow of prana.

In terms of specific differences, Western medicine tends to focus on the physical and biological aspects of the nervous system, while yogic philosophy places a greater emphasis on the mental and spiritual aspects of the nervous system. Western medicine also tends to use a reductionist approach, focusing on the functions and interactions of specific parts of the nervous system, while yogic philosophy takes a more holistic approach and views the nervous system as part of a larger interconnected system.

Overall, Western medicine and yogic philosophy have different interpretations of the nervous system, with Western medicine focusing on the physical and biological aspects and yogic philosophy placing a greater emphasis on the mental and spiritual aspects.