top of page



Circadian Rhythms
The Physiology of Biological Time Human physiology is organized around a near-24-hour cycle known as the circadian rhythm. This internal timing system regulates sleep–wake patterns, hormone secretion, metabolism, immune function, tissue repair, and nervous system tone. Circadian rhythms are endogenous — generated within the body — but they are synchronised to the external environment, primarily through light. central clock in the brain (SCN) connected to peripheral organs T
Uma Shankari
Feb 82 min read


Understanding Ayurveda : A Series
Prelude Ayurveda is often described as an ancient system of health, but that description barely scratches the surface. The word itself already points to a wider ambition.The word Ayurveda is formed from two Sanskrit roots: ayus, meaning life or lifespan, and veda, meaning a system of knowledge. The term veda itself comes from the root vid, “to know.” In this sense, Ayurveda literally means a structured body of knowledge concerned with life and long-term well-being. Ayurveda d
Uma Shankari
Feb 83 min read


Sun–Moon Rhythms and the Nervous System
Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Balance in Yoga Modern physiology explains balance in terms of the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system . Health depends not on suppressing either branch, but on their rhythmic alternation across the day. Traditional yogic physiology describes this same alternation using the language of sun (surya) and moon (chandra) . These are not metaphors layered onto physiology; they are functional categories derived
Uma Shankari
Feb 72 min read


Resistant Starch and Insulin
Resistant starch shifts digestion away from the small intestine and toward the colon, it lowers insulin demand, smooths glucose curves, and supports long-term insulin sensitivity.
Uma Shankari
Feb 73 min read


How Resistant Starch Eases Constipation
The Science of Resistant Starch (RS) Starch is a complex carbohydrate made of glucose units. During digestion, enzymes—mainly amylase from saliva and the pancreas—break starch into smaller sugars, ultimately glucose, which is absorbed from the small intestine into the bloodstream. However, not all starch is digested this way. The fraction that escapes digestion in the small intestine is known as resistant starch (RS) . As the name suggests, resistant starch “resists” enzymati
Uma Shankari
Feb 73 min read


"Should I Increase the Dose, Doctor"?
The body does not absorb nutrients merely because they are swallowed. Absorption depends on digestion, metabolic readiness, muscle use, and internal balance.
Uma Shankari
Jan 313 min read


Neurogenesis and the Brain’s Capacity to Heal
For a long time, the adult brain was believed to be incapable of producing new neurons. This view has changed. We now understand that neurogenesis — the formation of new nerve cells — continues throughout life , especially in specific regions of the brain. One such region is the hippocampus. Understanding neurogenesis requires understanding where it occurs and why that location matters. The Hippocampus as Part of the Central Nervous System The central nervous system (CNS)
Uma Shankari
Jan 303 min read


Simple Practices to Improve memory
Memory Can Improve at Any Age Memory does not decline simply because of age. What declines is stimulation, novelty, and attentional depth . The brain remains capable of forming new connections as long as it is given the right kind of input. This post focuses on simple daily practices that keep learning alive — without strain, apps, or intense mental workouts. Learning Slows When Attention Becomes Shallow Memory is not stored by repetition alone. It is shaped by how clearly t
Uma Shankari
Jan 302 min read


Understanding The Vagus Nerve
The vagus nerve links brain, organs, and autonomic balance. This article explains its integrative role, why the nervous system is not a switch, and what vasovagal responses reveal.
Uma Shankari
Jan 303 min read


The Physiology of Stretching
Stretching is not simply about lengthening muscles. It is a neurological process shaped by proprioception, muscle coordination, and nervous system safety. This article explores what truly happens in the body when we stretch, and why gentle, informed engagement leads to lasting ease.
Uma Shankari
Jan 225 min read


Five-Minute Gentle Stretches You Can Do on the Bed
Gentle stretches designed to be performed slowly and comfortably without leaving bed. They are ideal for the elderly or anyone experiencing morning stiffness. Ensure no stretch causes pain and move only within a comfortable range.
Uma Shankari
Jan 213 min read
Chin Mudra and Nervous System Regulation
Mudras establish a stable link between posture, sensation, and attention. The hands take up a disproportionately large portion of the brain's sensory and motor maps. Consequently, even minor adjustments in finger position can affect neural signaling, particularly when the position is maintained steadily and combined with stillness.
Uma Shankari
Jan 215 min read


Chin Mudra: A Daily Practice for Digestive Ease and Mental Calm
A simple daily hand position used with slow breathing to support mental calm and digestive readiness through nervous system regulation.
Uma Shankari
Jan 212 min read


Irritable Bowel Syndrome: When Digestion Loses Its Rhythm
Irritable bowel syndrome is a common digestive condition marked by disturbed rhythm rather than visible disease. This article explores what becomes “irritated” in IBS, how digestion and elimination lose coordination, why hunger cues become unreliable, and how restoring digestive rhythm supports long-term gut stability, especially with ageing.
Uma Shankari
Jan 203 min read


Fruit in the Morning: Digestive Readiness Matters
In the earlier article , digestion was described as a coordinated process rather than a mechanical one. This perspective becomes especially relevant when examining foods that are considered “light” or universally suitable. Morning fruit is one such case—often beneficial, sometimes disruptive—depending not on the food alone, but on the state of digestion at the time it is eaten. Though eating fruit first thing in the morning is often described as “light,” for some people, thi
Uma Shankari
Jan 203 min read


Digestion as a Coordinated Process
Digestion unfolds as a regulated sequence, from appetite and eating to satiety and elimination, guided by the brain, gut, and nervous system.
Uma Shankari
Jan 193 min read


Why Appetite Matters More Than Nutrients
Appetite is a physiological signal indicating that the body is prepared to receive and process food. Eating without appetite introduces food into a system that is not ready to process it.
Uma Shankari
Jan 193 min read


Breakfast as the First Conversation With Digestion
A calm, digestion-focused approach to breakfast—when to eat, what supports appetite, why heavy or protein-loaded breakfasts often disrupt digestion.
Uma Shankari
Jan 192 min read


Oil Pulling: Understanding Sublingual Absorption
The mouth is one of the body’s most sensitive gateways to the environment. Understanding sublingual absorption helps place many traditional and modern practices in context.
Uma Shankari
Jan 173 min read


Oil Pulling : Daily Practice for Oral Health
What is oil pulling? Oil pulling, traditionally known as gandusha, is a simple oral practice that involves gently moving oil in the mouth for a few minutes and then discarding it. Despite its simplicity, many people notice gradual improvements in oral comfort and dental health when it is practised consistently. Its value lies not in dramatic claims, but in how it quietly supports the oral environment over time. Why Oil Pulling Is Done in the Morning Oil pulling is traditional
Uma Shankari
Jan 172 min read
bottom of page