Wednesday, November 2, 2005

Nervous Systems Make You Nervous?

In response to a question from a yogini, how exactly do western terms map to the subtle system in Sahaja Yoga, here is the compilation:



Glossary: Nervous System & Subtle System Relationships



The nervous system is the body's information gatherer, storage center and control system.



The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system.



The peripheral nervous system is responsible for the body functions which are not under conscious control - like the heartbeat or the digestive system. The smooth operation of the peripheral nervous system is achieved by dividing it into sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. These are opposing actions and check on each other to provide a balance.



PNS = Autonomous NS + Sympathetic NS

= ANS + LSNS + RSNS



ANS = Subtle System

Ida Nadi = Left Sympathetic Nervous system (LSNS)

Pingala Nadi = Right Sympathetic NS (RSNS)



Sushumna Nadi = Parasympathetic NS (Not Known to Western Science)



Autonomic Nervous System

The Autonomic Nervous System is that part of PNS consisting of motor neurons that control internal organs. It has two subsystems. The autonomic system controls muscles in the heart, the smooth muscle in internal organs such as the intestine, bladder, and uterus. The Sympathetic Nervous System is involved in the fight or flight response. The Parasympathetic Nervous System is involved in relaxation. Each of these subsystems operates in the reverse of the other (antagonism). Both systems innervate the same organs and act in opposition to maintain homeostasis. For example: when you are scared the sympathetic system causes your heart to beat faster; the parasympathetic system reverses this effect.



Motor neurons in this system do not reach their targets directly (as do those in the somatic system) but rather connect to a secondary motor neuron which in turn innervates the target organ.



References:

http://www.innerbody.com

Rai, U. C. "Medical Science Enlightened" 1993 Pub. Life Eternal Trust

http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIO

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