2 8 S p i r i t ua l i t y S t u d i e s 3 - 1 S p r i n g 2 0 1 7 Tab. 1. The most important EEG frequency domains. Superbeta (“gamma”) 42 – 200 Hz Beta 12 – 42 Hz Alpha 7– 12 Hz Theta 4 – 7 Hz Delta 0.1 – 4 Hz Fig. 1. Transition from beta to delta dominant states in case of untrained and trained meditators (adapted after Hirai 1972). Beta dominant state Alpha dominant state Theta dominant state Delta dominant state Usual wakeful state of mind Unbroken wakeful attention during relaxation or meditation State of comfort Sleepiness start A state conductive for visual elements of relaxation and meditation REM states during sleep Deep meditation Dreamless sleep 2 Objective Parts of Yoga Nidrā Process As it was shown in the research at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, yoga nidrā has a special brain response. Apart from sequentially activating well defined areas of the brain, it changes the dominant EEG patterns of the brain (Nilsson 2017). Tab. 1 shows the main types of EEG frequencies. Tab. 2 shows the correlation of in various states of mind with EEG frequency domains. Fig. 1 shows the shifts of awareness during the process of falling asleep and relaxation plus meditation (Hirai 1972). Delta dominant states can be maintained without sleep only by very advanced yogis, like it was shown in case of swami Veda Bharati (Bharati 2014). Tab. 2. The most usual states mind and the EEG responses. Usual working regime of mind Beta activity dominates Relaxation, superlearning Alpha activity dominates Creative visualization, meditation (also SEMS and REM sleep) Theta activity dominates Immersion into deeper states of meditation (also dreamless sleep) Proportion of delta activity increases Panics, fear, intensive stress Fast beta rhythms dominate (also > 80 Hz)
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