Pineal Gland and the effects of Technology

The glow of technology suppresses and effects the pineal gland from functioning properly in the brain. This gland the Yogis have recognised for thousands of years. Did you know that the pineal gland produces melatonin? Likewise it is activated by darkness and inhibited by light. As well as suppressed by electromagnetic fields (EMF) released by mobile phones and other wireless devices (5G).

Magical pineal gland is an endocrine gland sitting alone in the brain, level with our eyes. Whether we look at it from a philosophical or a scientific point of view, the pineal gland plays a vital role in mental, physical, and spiritual health. Yogis have long known h importance of the pineal gland with postures having a positive effect. However the ongoing and long effects of Technology are only just being known.

What Does the Pineal Gland Do?

Melatonin is what the pineal gland produces and this is in charge of our daily and seasonal circadian rhythms. There is a direct connection to our sleep cycles and the quality of our sleep from melatonin. It also regulates the onset of puberty.

High melatonin levels reduce cortisol which allows us to sleep at night. On the other hand, low melatonin levels increase cortisol which causes anxiety and disrupts our sleep patterns. Fighting against free radicals is what Melatonin is in charge of. A decline in melatonin can also trigger the ageing process in the body.

Serotonin, the neurotransmitter of the happy chemical responsible for our mood, is transformed into melatonin only in the pineal gland. Melatonin is not only crucial to healthy cell growth, but it also affects the levels of a stress hormone called cortisol.

Spiritual Aspects of the Pineal Gland

Given its essential role, it comes as no surprise that an activated and healthy pineal gland has been linked with spirituality for millennia. Its pinecone shape can be found in art and artefacts of many ancient traditions, where it is associated with enlightenment and immortality. Ancient Egyptians admired this tiny gland so much that they even preserved it separately during the process of mummification.

The pineal is a major psychophysiological centre or a chakra (energy centre), according to Yogic teachings.  Many people consider the pineal gland to be the source of intuition and clairvoyance. It has also been called “the principal seat of the soul,” and the portal to the higher dimensions. This is because the pineal, or third eye, provides perception beyond plain sight.

When the pineal and the third eye are awakened, our whole body awakens. They enable us to open up to having visions, clairvoyance, and other psychic gifts. It is crucial to our spiritual growth and consciousness to keep our pineal gland-free of toxic substances. As we become more toxic, and exposed to the effects of technology our pineal gland calcifies further. This causes us to lose our spiritual connection to higher energies and our oneness with everything.

Technology overuse and the effects on the body

We define technology addiction as an uncontrollable impulse that forces you to use mobile devices, the internet, graze on social media or simply play games. These malpractices lead to the Pineal gland not working properly. The effects this has on the body will be further explained. Our Sleepy Time Yoga is part of the Yoga for over 40's (online) classes and will help you to sleep and counter the effects of technology on your pineal gland.

In general, addiction is characterised by the inability to consistently abstain from something. Impairment in behavioural control, craving, reduced recognition of major problems with one’s behaviours and interpersonal relationships, and impaired emotional response.

Like many other chronic diseases, addiction often involves cycles of relapse and remission. Without treatment or engagement in recovery activities, addiction is progressive and results in disability or premature death.

Four key parts constitute addiction:

1. Addiction include both substances or/and activities such as sex, work, media, eating, shopping, alcohol, drugs and gambling
2. An addiction leads to substantial harm
3. The definition of addiction is repeated involvement despite considerable harm
4. Pleasurable and/or valuable is what makes adddiction persists

Addiction is a psychological or physical need to do or use something, to the point where it could be detrimental to you.

Technology addiction - Zoom, Facebook, Youtube and isolation

With the increase in the use of technology, staying at home, using Zoom and Facebook etc to connect with the outside world our dependency and addiction to a digital life has increased. People are spending hours each day browsing social media or playing games while forsaking other aspects of their lives. No matter what the person’s addiction is, they can’t control how they use it. They may even start to rely on it to get through daily life.

Some studies suggest that addiction is genetic. However, environmental factors, such as being brought up by someone with an addiction could also increase the risk. An addiction is a way of masking or medicating the difficulties within one’s life. Research shows addiction often is triggered by childhood trauma and abuse.  However, it can come from other things such as unemployment, poverty along with stress, and emotional or professional pressure.

A digital detox story

A good friend told me about "sleep hygiene."  Likewise I started shutting the lid on the computer, no later than 7 p.m. But I still had the phone.

A new strategy was to delete the Facebook app from my phone, this stopped me from looking at it throughout the day. But it was still only on my iPad. Lets limit myself to just one look before going to bed I thought. However before I knew it time had passed and I was so engrossed with the alternative media. With the recent bushfires, floods and now the plague of the COVID 19, I look at these devices even more.

With three Facebook pages and one profile to manage there was always so much to do. Furthermore, I have two business websites that constantly need work to keep them alive. As well as five e-mail addresses, a LinkedIn business profile, Instagram photos, Twitter posts, Pinterest boards, Google business and Google Plus pages to manage. Yikes!

Apps on devices are made to be addictive

Messenger, Skype and WhatsApp and an app that helps to prevent any vagueness around money. Time has also been used up in front of the screen writing and uploading 4 digital books to iTunes and Amazon. Of course then I need to download iBooks, Kindle and the Kobo book reading apps.

There has been no time for a TV in my life over the past 10 years. When I have time to watch something I use SBS and ABC on-demand viewing platforms.  The iPad is easily transportable and will go with me outside when I stop  to have a cuppa.  Making movies and editing images on my phone and iPad is enjoyable and time consuming.  There is always something to do. Talk about complicated and busy mind. Life is so full and I am so grateful for Sleepy Time Yoga.

As a teacher of technology for that last 35 years, I know there are many benefits with technology and I marvel at the changes. However, anything in excess soon becomes the exact opposite – a disadvantage. If we do anything too much, we begin to lose balance and feel the painful symptoms.

What Yoga Can Do to Counteract the Effects of Overdosing On Technology

Optimal health and balance of the entire being is Yoga’s mission. Technology addiction can directly affect the pineal gland and this leads to being out of balance. Quality of life is diminished. Learning tools to bring your self into a state of balance is a much needed strategy in todays world. The irony is we use technology to connect yet in reality the effects of overusing a good thing, keep us separated from ourselves and others.

The balancing act of Yoga poses, meditation, breathing and chanting may be everything we need to remedy our minds and get our circadian rhythms back in sync.  Some tips to keep yourself in balance are:

• Spend time in the sunlight every day.
• Shut the lid on computers at 7pm.
• Sleep in complete darkness.
• Commit to a regular meditation practice before bed, because this will develop and enhance your pineal gland.
• There are many Yogic practices that are very powerful methods for awakening the pineal gland.
• Inversions are especially helpful since they increase blood flow to the pineal while you are upside down.
• The practice of Yoga Nidra and yogic sleep meditation can also help in awakening the pineal gland.

How Sleepy Time Yoga helps

As a computer coach, a Yoga Ayurveda therapist and someone who is struggles with technology over use I know Yoga therapy works.  I have learnt many experience, knowledge and skills to help people with their technology addictions. You will learn to bring yourself to a state of balance.

Learn how to be time efficient using technology. Likewise create time to focus on your visions and goals in life.

By incorporating Yoga Ayurveda Therapy into your everyday life. Our Lunchtime Chair Yoga Therapy is about sitting at the desk. You will  bring into your everyday life when standing in a cue or the simple act of breathing, opening and stretching. Yoga reverses the harmful effects that technology has on the pineal gland, body and mind. Combining both Yoga Ayurveda therapy with technology you bridge the gap between the ancient teachings and the modern day technologies. As a consequence, you will move towards a healthier lifestyle.

Yoga Therapy for over 40's online classes include Good Morning Yoga, Lunchtime Chair Yoga and Sleepy time Yoga. You can read more here about the many benefits of Yoga therapy for Seniors here.

If you are someone who has been struggling with technology addiction don’t hesitate to contact me today.

Phone Number: 0407 956 071

E-mail: bondiyogatherapy@gmail.com

Website: www.yogaworksforover40s.com

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References:

https://www.hormone.org/your-health-and-hormones/glands-and-hormones-a-to-z/glands/pineal-gland

https://www.asam.org/resources/definition-of-addiction

https://www.mentalhelp.net/articles/definition-of-addiction/

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/what-is-addiction

https://www.consciouslifestylemag.com/pineal-gland-activation-third-eye/

https://upliftconnect.com/detoxify-your-pineal-gland/

https://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/2013/04/18/how-yoga-affects-the-pineal-gland/