Shambhavi Mudra is avery important Hatha Yogic practice where attention is gently directed towards the space between the eyebrows. This space is called Ajna Chakra or third eye centre. The word Shambhavi is derived from theword Shambhu, a name of Lord Shiva and Mudra is a gesture. Ancient Yoguctexts describe Shambhavi Mudra as a powerful technique of concentration, meditation, and inner awareness. Although developed thousands of years ago, modern science is providing an explanation for many effects associated with this Yogic practice. The human brain consistently receives information from the external world through sense organs.A significant amount of energy is spent whileprocessing this information.During the practice of Shambhavi Mudra eyes remain relatively still and attention is directed inward.This reduces sensory distractions.This technique allowsthe brain to conserve mental energy and focus on internal awareness.Neuroscience refers to this as ashift from externally directed attention to internally centric attention. One of the most interesting areas of neuroscience related to meditation practices is the Default Mode Network of thebrain.The DMN consists of theinterconnected brain regions that become active when the mind is wandering, day dreaming ,worrying or engaging in self referential thinking.

 

Excessive activity in this network is linked to rumination ,mental stress, and anxiety.Research on meditation practices have shown that focused attention reduces DMN activity. Shambhavi Mudra may help in quietening this network by directing awareness to asingle point and thus reducing mental noise and chatter.Practitioners of Shambhavi Mudra experienceinner silenceand mental stillness. Another important brain region involved in this practice is the prefrontal cortex which is located behind the forehead.This area is responsible for attention, planning, decision making, impulse control, and emotional regulation. Sustained focus during the Shambhavi Mudra requires the activation of this region.Over a period of time repeated practice of the Shambhavi Mudra strengthens the neural circuits associated with concentration and self discipline.

 

This explains why experienced meditators demonstrate greater mental clarity and emotional stability. The practice of the Shambhavi Mudra mayalso influencethe limbic system, specifically the amygdala.Modernlife always keeps one in aheightened state of alertness.Meditation practices have been shown to reducethe reactivity of the amygdala. By cultivating calm and focused awareness, the Shambhavi Mudra may help reduce emotional over reaction and promote abalanced response towards the challenges of modernlife. Breathing patterns also playa vital part in the practice of the Shambhavi Mudra.Many practitioners experienceslow and rhythmic breathing during thepractice of the Shambhavi Mudra .Slow breath regulates the vagus nerve which is connected to the major body organs like the heart ,lungs, digestive systems, etc.The activation of this nerve enhances the parasympathetic nervous system described as the rest and digest state of the body.

 

As a result, the heart rate decreases, bloodpressure stabilises, and the body shifts from the state of stress to the state of relaxation. Neuroscientific studies on meditation have shown that during meditation, the brainproduces alpha and theta waves which are associated with relaxation, creativity and higher awareness.Again during the meditative state the brain becomes neuroplastic and reorganises its neural circuits. The sustained practice of the Shambhavi Mudra is associated with the above benefits.Thus the Shambhavi Mudra is atimeless Yogicpracticewith an immense potential for the human brain and consciousness.This Yogicpractice is found to be of therapeutic value also.