Iron rules of health - 7

[Guest guest]

In 6th post of this series, we discussed the principles of breathig

techniques. To recapitulate, breathing techniques were seen aimed at

increasing lung capacity, making lung function more efficient,

increasing blood circulation so that atherosclerosis and coronorary

arterial plaques chances can be reduced. In this post, we discuss

mainly the effect of breathing on central nervous system(CNS).

 

We need to go into the superficial details of the nervous system.

Description of the entire nervous stem may be read on other sites,

e.g.

 

http://www.thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/i/i_01/i_01_cr/i_01_cr_ana/i_01_cr

_ana.html

 

The CNS works like a telephone exchange, super computer and also

atomic reactor. Brain encased in skull and sciatica nerve running

through the spinal cord are two physical sections of CNS. The latter

section assumes more importance in yoga theory as applied to

breathing effects. A thick nerve bundle, about a quarter inch

diameter starts from the brain stem and travels through spinal cord

up to coccyx bone. Here it bifurcates into two branches and reaches

up to the end of toe in each foot. The nerve bundle is encased in

meninges and virtually floats in cerebro-spinal-fluid. The name of

this nerve bundle is termed `Merudanda' in yoga theory. It is made up

of 31 pairs of spinal nerves, consisting of somatic, sympathetic and

para-sympathetic nerves.

 

Smaller brain (Cerebellum) which lies on hind side is the atomic

power plant, contains nerves, which generate electricity when blood

passes through them. The electricity is sent to main brain, positive

charge via first ventricle and negative charge via second ventricle.

This electricity recharges the nerves, keeping the entire system

active. When we walk or run, balancing action is taken care of by the

nerves of smaller brain automatically. When we were in womb, the

administration of body functions was supervised entirely by smaller

brain, while after birth, the function gets transferred to bigger

brain (Celebrum).

 

Celebrum is a super computer. Receives signals from sensory organs

and after analysing the signals based on stored knowledge, actions

are generated. Consisting of two main parts, the right lobe controls

left of body while left part controls right part of body. Though

consists of equivalent of more that 20,000 super chips, we use hardly

10% of the capacity. Albert Einstein used 15% and became great

scientist. This part of brain consists of cells made from both gray

matter and white matter.

 

The blood received by brain is used to generate Cerebro-Spinal-fluid

(CSF), which yoga theory terms `amruta' (elixir). The generation and

distribution of CSF is fully illustrated with figures etc on:

http://users.ahsc.arizona.edu/davis/csf.htm

 

For protection, the brain (and the spinal cord) are bathed in CSF.

This fluid circulates through a series of communicating cavities

called ventricles. In addition to cushioning blows, this fluid

reduces the pressure at the base of the brain by causing the nerve

tissue to "float". CSF is secreted by the choroid plexus in the

upper ventricles and absorbed by the venous system at the base of the

brain. As this fluid flows downward, it carries away toxic wastes and

moves hormones between widely separated regions of the brain

 

Each 100 ml of CSF consists of Proteins: 15-25 mg, Glucose: 40-50 mg,

Chlorides 720-750 mg. Approximately 550 ml CSF is generated everyday

by brain to take care of nutrition of entire CNS. CNS is a highly

concentrated nutrition. Approximately 200-250 mg will be the glucose

content of CSF per day, which gets used in the body. CSF can not mix

with blood. Some yogis are able to absorb CNS leaking from the brain

into the mouth, using Khetchari (These terms can be learnt on

aypsite.com or advanced_yoga_techniques group). This is `Amrut pana

kriya' or drinking of nectar made by brain. During heavy deep

breathing one can experience a drop falling from top of mouth. This

action reduces both hunger and thirst. CSF cushions the brain,

regulates brain extracellular fluid, allows for distribution of

neuroactive substances, and is the "sink" that collects the waste

products produced by the brain. CSF acts for brain in the same manner

as blood acts for body. Our interest in CSF stems from the fact that

breathing affects CSF.

 

CSF enters third ventricle and through a curved passage enters

spinal cord. This curved tube take s turn about pineal gland. When

chloride content in CSF increases due to increased salt intake, or

the valve in this tube hardens due to stress, and pressure required

to push CSF is increased. This is assumed to be the root of

hypertension in alternative theories. Due to expansion of the tube

carrying CSF, the pineal gland can get damaged, as it is encircled by

this tube. If glucose content is reduced, we get desire to eat food

which generates glucose. Early morning, put a piece of jaggery on

tongue and experience the instant sensation in brain. Connection of

glucose, esp. lactose, seretonin and sleep may now be obvious.

Seretonin gives calmness to nerves.

 

The sciatica nerve branches out into nerves which reach various

organs located in main body. When sciatica nerve is getting pinched

in vertebrae or discs, the increased resistance in passing of signals

results in inappropriate functions of corresponding organs. Pains are

also possible.

 

As long as body gets adequate blood and oxygen, it functions well. It

is necessary that lungs, heart, digestive system etc work well for

this. But the organ controlling all these functions, i.e. CNS must

also receive adequate nutrition through CSF. CSF causes electrical

pulses in brain cells. Modern science accepts the existence of bio-

electricity flow in our bodies. The ECG or EEG owe their existence to

this electricity only.

 

Accupuncturists manipulate and try to balance this flow by injecting

extra micro currents through their needles. Whole of accu pressure

therapy is based on existence of the meridians carrying the bio-

electricity, which may be identified with signal carrying nerves or

their bundles. These waves in brain are of various types: Alpha, Beta

and Gamma waves, which correspond to Satva, Rajas and Tamas gunas of

mind. These waves can be studied with EEG equipment and have been

discussed to some extent in Message # 5066 and 6176. This is the

proof of bio-electricity in brain. While alpha waves (low frequency,

10-12 Hz) are registered when we close eyes, and brain is not

thinking. Beta waves (13-25 Hz) arise when we are excited. Delta

waves occur at very low frequency (1-5Hz) when we are in sleep.

Mainstream researchers, studying these waves, should study what

happens to these waves in deep spiritual trance or during meditation.

 

Let us see now how breathing recharges our bio-electric battery.

According to yoga theory, our Right nostril is termed Surya (Sun)

Nadi and is considered + ve. When we breath through right nostril,

our body warms up. Left nostril is considered Chandra (Moon) Nadi

and – ve. When our breathing is through left nostril, the heat in

body reduces. The difference between these extreme electric potential

is just 0.09 Volts according to a British Medical Journal article.

 

When we breath through right nostril, air going in recharges

positively charged cells (white matter) of brain. The blood which

enters the ventricle stores heat there. When positive charge reaches

saturation level, the flow changes to negative charge, automatically

breathing switches to left nostril. Now the blood which enters brain,

recharges gray matter as it is negatively charged. The CSF flowing

through spinal cord is electrically charged and alternately changes

to positive and negative charge. That is the reason, our breathing

keeps alternating between predominant left nostril breathing and

predominantly right nostril breathing. In what follows, reader is

assumed to be familiar with Chakra system of energy body. Reader can

refresh this on site sivasakti.com if necessary. The electrically

charged CSF is considered to store electric energy in Prostate

glands. This dormant energy is termed Kundalini or Serpent power. By

yogic kriyas, one can release this power and send it in various

charkas and corresponding glands. Thus when this energy enters

Muladhar chakra, it increases sex power. Yoga books mention that the

semen is difficult to store in body, and its maturing (in teenagers)

gives rise to white moons at base of nails in fingers of hand.

Similar moons can be observed at higher age, if breathing techniques

are carried out with this aim. The advantage for boosting fertility

is obvious. When this energy rises further to swadhistan chakra,

digestion improves. Further, in Manipur Chakra, adrenal glands

function better, increasing stamina, strength and agility. In the

end, when this energy enters Sahastrar Chakra, corresponding to

pineal gland, yogi sees a constant light in the center of forehead.

All 20,000 chips of brain get excited now, and this is termed

awakening of Kundalini power, one is able to see past, present and

future. All great poets, scientists, philosophers, oratories have

awakened the kundalini with dominance of pituitary gland, while those

whose kundalini awakens with dominance of pineal gland, become

saints, they can realize the knowledge of self, have foresight, good

character and benign outlook for every one.

 

Brain cells can be charged by specific breathing exercises. It can

now be understood why we breath through alternate nostrils during

anuloma-viloma pranayama. On the other hand, heavy forceful breathing

with both nostrils simultaneously will cause equal charging of CSF,

the flow is then considered neutral, awakening Sushumna nadi. This

sushumna nadi is useful to upgrade the stored energy and send it

upwards to higher charkas. On its own, Sushumna nadi is active early

morning (time termed Brahma muhurtam). By combining meditation and

breathing, one can cure or reduce intensity of CNS diseases (e.g.

Tinnitus) or even make tumors dormant. Even diabetics can regain

their erectile function.

 

Those who can not carry out breathing techniques for any reason, can

drink water made by boiling with copper, silver and gold as

described in ayurveda message# 2214. This can regenerate brain

cells. Normally modern medicine considers brain cells do not

regenerate. For young men under age 25, however, it is possible to

regenerate some cells of nervous system, both by breathing and

charged water. Even for elders, the magical water helps to reduce

ageing rate when suffering from chronic diseases such as Cancer,

T.B., Asthma, Paralysis, Arthritis etc.

 

The effect of breathing, through balancing of glands also helps in

balancing hormones and taking care of obesity, as demonstrated by

several cases by Baba Ramdev. Author finds the primary benefit of

breathing is super active nervous system, giving all round

improvement in health. Those who undertake spinal breathing, will be

able to reduce the intensity of pains due to spondilytis, sciatica,

backpains and muscle pains. Those for whom these problems do not

exists, will ensure that such problems will not visist them in

future. The discs become healthy due to better flow of CSF in spine.

Better conductance of nervous sytem signals to all body parts

ensures their efficient working. Constipation to Cancer, all diseases

have unique medicine.

 

In the next post we will discuss other ways of improving health.