THE PHYSIOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF BODY PIERCING BY A YOGA MASTER: CONTROL OF PAIN AND BLEEDING

A Yogi master was psychophysiologically monitored while he pierced his neck and tongue with skewers to demonstrate control of pain and bleeding. Measurements included respiration rate (RR), heart rate (HR), diaphragmatic and thoracic breathing, electrodermal activity (EDA) and electroencepholography (EEG) from Cz and Fz. The Yogi reported no pain during piercing and no bleeding was observed. In general he had elevated HR and low untesponsive EDA throughout the session. His respiration rate averaged 7 brpm during the slow breathing meditation prior to and following the piercing but elevated to approximately 25 breaths per minute during piercing. His EEG showed predominate alpha of 10Hz during meditation. Alpha, sensory motor rhythm (SMR), and beta elevated at Cz during piercing with no change in delta or theta. Alpha and beta elevated at Fz during piercing with no change in SMR, delta or theta. While he stayed in alpha during the piercing, there was a broader range of alpha activation ranging from 10 to 14 Hz. This demonstration suggests a finding of conscious self-regulation, as opposed to disassociation, for controlling attention and responsiveness to painful stimuli. It could be hypothesized that clients with chronic pain could be taught how to control pain using the mind/body in a similar manner

THE PHYSIOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF BODY PIERCING BY A YOGA MASTER: CONTROL OF PAIN AND BLEEDING

A Yogi master was psychophysiologically monitored while he pierced his neck and tongue with skewers to demonstrate control of pain and bleeding. Measurements included respiration rate (RR), heart rate (HR), diaphragmatic and thoracic breathing, electrodermal activity (EDA) and electroencepholography (EEG) from Cz and Fz. The Yogi reported no pain during piercing and no bleeding was observed. In general he had elevated HR and low untesponsive EDA throughout the session. His respiration rate averaged 7 brpm during the slow breathing meditation prior to and following the piercing but elevated to approximately 25 breaths per minute during piercing. His EEG showed predominate alpha of 10Hz during meditation. Alpha, sensory motor rhythm (SMR), and beta elevated at Cz during piercing with no change in delta or theta. Alpha and beta elevated at Fz during piercing with no change in SMR, delta or theta. While he stayed in alpha during the piercing, there was a broader range of alpha activation ranging from 10 to 14 Hz. This demonstration suggests a finding of conscious self-regulation, as opposed to disassociation, for controlling attention and responsiveness to painful stimuli. It could be hypothesized that clients with chronic pain could be taught how to control pain using the mind/body in a similar manner

SPECIAL ISSUE Athletes Are Different: Factors That Differentiate Biofeedback/Neurofeedback for Sport Versus Clinical Practice

Biofeedback and neurofeedback training procedures are often different for athletes than for clinical patients. Athletes come to improve performance whereas patients come to reduce symptoms. This article outlines factors that distinguish work with athletes from work with clinical patients. The differences in training include the purpose of training, the nature of the participant in training, session design, and covert factors underlying the training. Unlike clients, athletes often do intensive transfer of learning training, between 2 and 6 hours of daily sport practice across days, weeks, and months. Although biofeedback and neurofeedback are important factors for enhancing peak performance, there are many covert and overt factors producing performance success such as motivation, intensity of training, ''A-ha'' experiences, experimental expectancy, behavioral consequences, and mastery learning. The training process with athletes is illustrated through a case example of a young tennis player who mastered control of his anger. Biofeedback and neurofeedback training procedures are often different for athletes than for patients because the training purposes are different. Athletes come to improve performance whereas patients come to reduce symptoms. This article outlines factors that distinguish working with athletes from working with clinical patients. These factors include the purpose of the training, the nature of the participant in training, session design, and the covert factors underlying the training

Loneliness and social media: A qualitative investigation of young people's motivations for use and perceptions of social networking sites

The democratisation of Internet access has incrementally changed every domain of activity and has created new business and economic models. From answering work emails to learning a new language, shopping, booking medical appointments or managing one’s finances, almost everything is attainable at the click of a button. The added implications of the rapid rise of social networking websites (SNSs), such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Snapchat, have further contributed to changing the way we communicate and build new friendships. Indeed most of our social relationships are now being ‘increasingly developed and maintained online’ (Nowland, Necka & Cacioppo, 2017: 1). Ostensibly, despite improved Internet access and enhanced social connectedness, modern societies are struggling to combat loneliness. It is reported to affect people of all ages, especially young adults (16-24 and 25-34 years old) who are avid Internet and social media users (see Office for National Statistics, 2018)