During some yoga sessions, I feel emotional without clear reason. Is there a scientific explanation for this?
1 responder
Yes, there is a plausible neurophysiological explanation. Yoga, especially slow breathing and prolonged stretches, increases vagal tone and shifts the nervous system from sympathetic (fight-or-flight) dominance toward parasympathetic regulation. When defensive tension patterns soften, suppressed emotional memory networks, stored across limbic structures like the amygdala and hippocampus, can become more accessible. Additionally, deep diaphragmatic breathing alters CO₂ balance and interoceptive awareness, heightening sensitivity to internal sensations that may be interpreted emotionally. It’s not mystical; it’s autonomic recalibration combined with increased body–brain integration.
