Gyanodaya

Contemplative practices such as breath observation, mindfulness, and yoga are increasingly being integrated into classroom settings. However, one of the key challenges in teaching such practices is that neither the teacher nor the practitioner fully recognizes the spectrum of events happening inside the practitioner’s mind.

In this pedagogical approach, the focus is to make the internal cognitive state during contemplative practice observable and measurable, so that the specific challenges of the mind can be recognized and addressed. This is achieved by using a biofeedback-based technique in which students receive real-time, live feedback about their practice.

In this course, Workplace Wellbeing through Karma Yoga, at the beginning of each session, a 10-minute yoga-based breathing practice is introduced, which includes sectional breathing, Nāḍī Śuddhi Prāṇāyāma (alternate nostril breathing), and Bhrāmarī Prāṇāyāma, where a humming sound is produced. A multi-sensor device, Muse Athena, is used during this practice to obtain important insights on the participant’s mental state. Metrics like cognitive engagement, moments of distraction, periods of focused attention, postural stability, and heart rate changes can be used to provide feedback to participants on their practice challenges and strengths. This helps them discover how various practices influence their mind and which parts of the practice are more beneficial.

This approach uncovers hidden states of mind and enables deeper inner reflection during contemplative practices. The biofeedback-supported approach helps cultivate interoceptive awareness by bridging the gap between internal experience and perceived feedback through objective measures. This enhances self-awareness and makes the practice more effective by offering specific insights for targeted improvement. Overall, it brings clarity, builds confidence, and supports a consistent self-care routine.