***Brain Fact #5: Taken for granted: Breathing, Heart rate, and more

Have you ever thought,"Why do I NOT need to think about breathing – it just happens?"

Basic life functions such asbreathing,blood flowandheartbeatare controlled by thebrain stem, located at thebrain's base; also known as thePons(theMedulla) with the lower part being theMedulla Oblongata. The Medulla Oblongata continues on to theSpinal Cord. They have been in theevolutionofamphibians,fish,reptilesandmammals, for over 500million(500,000,000) years.

Theautonomic functionsregulated therekeep your body alive and functioning, even when conditions may temporarily shut down thehigher functionslocated in the larger portion ofthe brain. The location, between the rest of thebrainand the rest of our body, is strategic tomaintaining lifein the body.

There are many references to you having theability, orlatent ability, to regulate these and other autonomic functions throughdisciplined and willful thought. As aYogicandecrease heart rate and breathing,your mind can influence your bodyto respond both directly and indirectly to behealthful. Your own "Fountain of Youth".

Shannon Panzo, PhD